By Mark Ratzky, publicity – Cal Expo Harness
Friday night’s program will
find a $5,500 conditioned trot and an $8,296 carryover in the 20-cent early
Pick 5 holding the spotlight.
First post for the 12-race
Watch and Wager LLC card is 4:50 p.m.
The early Pick 5 is conducted
on the first five events of the evening and there will be a $30,000 guaranteed
gross pool. The 20-cent early and late Pick 5 and the 20-cent Pick 4 all come
with a reduced 16% takeout rate.
Free past performances for
the Friday program are available at ustrotting.com
Looking at Friday’s main
event, Mshindi is exiting a fourth-place finish in last week’s Joe Lighthill
Trot behind Silverhill Volo and looms a tough customer with Luke Plano handling
the Bruce Nickells colorbearer for trainer Tim Clevenger.
Mshindi will leave from the
No. 2 slot in the field of seven and will have Teachmehowtotory on his inside,
while the outside challengers will be Flameon, Bringthegold, Glenferrie
Dreamer, Jesse’s Student and Major Al-Mar.
On Saturday evening, the
Annette Funicello/Glen Holt Final and the Joe Alto Filly and Mare Pace will be
the main attractions.
Best Dream Seeker ready
for social security
When the calendar turns to
January 1, Best Dream Seeker becomes 15 years old for official purposes and
will have completed the racing portion of his career.
The pacing son of Cambest
comes into this weekend having made 453 starts, with 43 wins, 63 seconds and 68
thirds. He has nearly $490,000 in his bank account and sports a 1:51 4/5 mark
that was set back when George W. Bush was still our President.
“He’s a nice horse to be
around and work with,” said trainer Rick Bertrand, who co-owns the veteran with
Vikki Pfeilsticker and Amy Fichtner and has had him for the last two and a half
years.
“He’ll remain in the barn for
the winter to help pony the tough horses who don’t jog very well. He’ll also be
useful to help train the babies and teach them to race before being turned out
for the summer.”
Bertrand has done his
homework as far as Best Dream Seeker is concerned, noting that he’s raced at 23
different track and posed for pictures at 15 of those venues.
He also pointed out that the
veteran pacer has had 27 different trainers and 88 different drivers, winning
for 26 of those pilots. “I’d have to say over the years he’s been handled by
just about every top driver in the country,” his mentor added.
Cal Expo wishes a long and
happy retirement to Best Dream Seeker.
***
Please note there will be
mandatory payouts on all wagers Saturday. The second half of the meet will get
underway on Saturday, December 26.
