By Mark Ratzky, publicity – Cal Expo Harness
A $6,000 Open II Distaff Pace
headed by Magnifique and a $5,500 Open II Trot featuring Dougs Hobby Horse and
Windsun Galaxie are the main attractions on Friday night’s program at Cal Expo.
There will be 12 races
presented by Watch and Wager LLC with first post set for 6:10 p.m.
Looking at the Filly and Mare
Open II event, Magnifique figures to have her share of backers leaving from the
cozy rail slot for Luke Plano, who reins and trains the 7-year-old mare for
Nikki Hudson.
Magnifique started the meet
with a victory in a conditioned contest, was third in a blanket finish in the
November 30 Open and at most recent asking was beaten only a half-length while
picking up the show money behind the streaking Scary Harry in the Alan Horowitz
Memorial.
Several of the performers in
the co-featured Open II Trot have the credentials to get the picture taken,
including a pair from the Rick Bertrand barn in Dougs Hobby Horse and Majestic
Lady Jo.
The latter, who carries the
banner of Bertrand and Amy Grunwald, was a 29-1 upset winner of the December 7
Open, while Dougs Hobby Horse races for Bertrand and Doug Flores and sports an
Open victory from last month.
Windsun Galaxie is coming off
a solid runner-up effort behind Silverhill Volo in the most recent clash at the
head of the division two weeks ago and has been assigned the outside post in
the field of six. Dean Magee handles the lines for owner Ronald Rettig-Zucchi
and conditioner Jessie Pacheco.
Low takeout wagers
offer true value
There are two wagers offered
here nightly that come with a reduced 16 percent takeout rate, giving players
extra incentive to participate in these horizontal bets.
The wagers are the 50-cent
Pick 5, which begins on the first race; and the 20-cent Pick 4, which comes
with a $20,000-guaranteed pool on Fridays and $30,000 on Saturdays.
In addition, Cal Expo offers
20-cent Trifectas and 10-cent Superfectas, affording players the opportunity to
spread deep in these vertical wagers.
