By Mark Ratzky, publicity –
Cal Expo Harness
The $10,000 Funicello/Holt
Final and the $10,000 Joe Alto Pace, both for pacing fillies and mares, command
the spotlight Friday evening at Cal Expo.
Watch and Wager LLC will
present nine races and things get underway at 6:45 p.m.
Off a sparkling victory in
one of last week’s two elimination heats, Senga Nightmare figures to be
strongly backed in the Funicello/Holt for owner/driver/trainer Ryan Grundy.
Making her third start since
coming in from Canada, she went a huge mile last week as she settled early,
came first over turning for home and finished powerfully to prevail by three
lengths over 3-5 favorite Tartan Patch.
That 3-year-old filly had her
win streak snapped at two in that contest while having to settle for the exacta
behind Senga Nightmare. The Vertical Horizon miss is owned, trained and driven
by Rene Goulet.
Taking them on are
Uniquerock, Hurry Home, D Vigilante, Starstruck Cowgirl, Sierra Mystique, Go
With Flo, Witch Hunter and Always Glad.
The Joe Alto Pace finds Life
Isa Shortwalk going for her fourth straight win at the meet for Set The Pace
Racing LLC and driver/trainer Nick Roland. She captured the Bill Vallandingham
Pace two back and accounted for last week’s Open III distaff event.
She will do her work from the
outside post in the field of six and will be challenged by Alwaysalittlemore,
Jenne Ann, Delightfully Wild, Oneida Blue Chip and Shesureissomething.
Roland, Plested showing
the way
After they both recorded five
wins on opening night, Nick Roland and Mooney Svendsen continue to make a
steady stream of trips to the winner’s circle while atop the driver standings.
Roland recorded four
victories last week to bring his total to 23 for the stand, while Svendsen also
had four scores, including the narrow victory with Pridecrest in the Joe
Lighthill Trot, to give him 15 winning snaphots at the meet.
Among the trainers, Kathie
Plested is the leader with 11 trips to the charmed enclosure, while Roland is
second with 10 wins from just 17 appearances by his performers.
***
Cal Expo pays tribute to Joe
Alto, Annette Funicello and Glen Holt with features races on the Friday
program.
Joe Alto, who passed away in
2011 at the age of 78, was a track announcer for 40 years, including many
seasons here at Cal Expo, calling both harness horses and thoroughbreds.
Among his many signature
calls “You better take a look at” and “They’re coming home now!”
Annette Funicello, who passed
away in 2013 due to multiple sclerosis; and Glen Hot, who died in 2018, were
married for over 25 years and it was through their mutual interest in horses
and horse racing that they met.
Annette Funicello was a television
and movie actress who devoted herself to her family after her career ended;
while Glen Holt was a former law enforcement officer and harness owner, driver,
trainer and breeder who was a mainstay of California harness racing.
