By Mark Ratzky, publicity –
Cal Expo Harness
Nathan Sobey will have two
looks at the outcome in Saturday night’s Alan Horowitz Memorial Pace, as he
will be represented by the Canadian mares Brighten Your Life and Smilys Amira.
Brighten Your Life was an
eye-catching winner of the second division of the Horowitz Eliminations last
week in her California debut, while Smilys Amira checked in fourth behind a
very impressive Scary Harry in the first division.
Sobey made the decision to
bring a string of performers from Alberta around late October and is off to a
good start at this session. “I’ve got 18 horses here right now and we’re
looking to stay until about April,” he related.
Nathan claimed Brighten Your
Life two months ago at Northlands Park and it looks like she is enjoying her
new surroundings, if her victory in the Horowitz Elimination is any indication.
“I’d had my eye on her for
some time, because she was a real nice 2-year-old and I didn’t think she was
racing to her abilities. We did some work on her and I’m very happy with the
way she’s come around.
“I knew we were going into
last week’s race a little short, but I thought we at least had a good chance to
make the final. I was a little shocked how strong she raced considering, but
she is a very tough mare and loves these nice big turns.”
Smilys Amira will be making
her second appearance at this meeting and also figures to benefit from the
experience. “She’s not the easiest mare to train or to drive, but she always
gives you everything she has,” Sobey said.
Open Pace, Bill Conlin
Prep share billing
Friday night’s Cal Expo
harness action will include an Open Pace, with a well-matched field set to face
the starter, and the Bill Conlin Prep.
An 11-race program is on tap
under the Watch and Wager LLC banner with first post set for 6:10 p.m. The Open
Pace goes as the third race, while the Conlin Prep will occupy the sixth-race
slot on the evening.
Looking ahead to Saturday
night, the Alan Horowitz Memorial Pace will hold the spotlight with last week’s
Elimination winners Scary Harry and Brighten Your Life headlining that contest.
Scary Harry has posted four
straight impressive victories at this meet for owners
Kenneth Seastrom and Chip
Lackey, with Lackey doing the driving and training.
The bay performer was winless
in 27 starts on the year when he arrived here in November, but has been on a
tear ever since and has not come to closing in his four trips to the post.
Despite having the demanding
No. 9 slot in a division of last week’s Horowitz Eliminations, Scary Harry was
sent off the 3-5 choice and made it look like a gift. Parked to the lead at the
half, he took complete control from that point and waltzed home with six and
three-quarter lengths to spare in a 1:54 4/5 mile.
***
There will be no live racing
here next week, with the trotters and pacers returning to action on Friday,
December 28. There will be mandatory payoffs on all wagers Saturday night.
