By Mark Ratzky, publicity – Cal Expo Harness
Luke Plano, who has his share of leading driver trophies on the mantle, is back for another Cal Expo stand and is looking forward to making his share of winner’s circle appearances.
To that end, he was posing for pictures after the first race on opening night and added another tally before the program had finished.
“I spent the summer at Hoosier Park, and that’s one of the toughest places to race right now,” Luke related. “That first quarter and last quarter are always fast and position is so important.”
In addition to competing in the sulky here, Plano has 10 performers under his care, including a quality pacer named Ponda’s Prospect, who was scheduled to suit up in Friday’s Open versus Allmyx’sliventexas. “He was racing in Chicago with Casey Leonard and hopefully he’ll fit well here.”
While racing in Indiana this summer, Luke would sometimes find himself driving against his 68-year-old father Rick, who was once a California mainstay and still holds three track records here.
“Dad’s doing well,” Luke noted. “Driving against him is nothing new, because I’ve been doing it ever since I started out.”
Bthe way, Luke has two course standards to his name, including the fastest trotting mile ever at Cal Expo when he guided Pridescrest to a 1:53 2/5 victory three years ago.
A $7,200 Filly and Mare Open Pace and two eliminations for the Bill Conlin Pace get the marquee treatment Saturday evening at Cal Expo.
Harness racing has returned to this oval with Friday and Saturday night action and there will be an 11-race program Saturday with first post set for 4:55 p.m.
Looking at the Filly/Mare Open, Velocity Mcsweets will certainly be one of the major players for the Jennifer Sabot shedrow.
The hard-hitting distaffer prepped for this contest last weekend, checking in second behind the classy Allmyx’sliventexas in a 1:56 3/5 qualifier which should have her ready to rock and roll with James Kennedy guiding from the outside post in the field of seven.
Looking to keep her from the winner’s circle Saturday are Marys Pretty Girl with Phil Knox; Bettor Lady, Mooney Svendsen; Brighten Your Life for Jacob Cutting; Royal Mistress, Kevin Anderson; Bertha Vanation, Nick Roland; and Delightfully Wild with Luke Plano in the sulky.
The main even will be decided as the sixth race on the card, while the Conlin eliminations occupy the fifth and eighth-race slots on the evening.
Sherwood is eyeing a curtain call in the first Conlin division after scoring as the chalk on opening night and leaves from the outside slot, while Bobs Time is likewise looking to keep his record perfect at the meet from the outside post in the other elimination.
