Silverlode, Flameon
putting on great show
By Mark Ratzky, publicity – Cal Expo Harness
It’s been some time since we’ve
seen as heated a rivalry as the one at the top of the trotting ranks between
Silverlode and Flameon, with the pair splitting the six Open Trots decided at
this meeting.
Silverlode got the best of
the battle when the pair met last week, leaving into a pocket journey for Luke
Plano and overpowering the pace-setting Flameon when push came to shove.
Silverlode is an 8-year-old
daughter by British Serling out of the multiple stakes-winning Website mare
Charlotte’s Web who was bred and is raced by Steve and Vickie Desomer.
She is working her way toward the $150,000 earnings mark with a 1:55 1/5 mark
that was set last year over this strip.
“I think the rivalry stands
out because the field is usually short and a top-class event,” Vickie noted
after Silverlode’s most recent photo session. “Steve and I don’t remember ever
being involved in such a rivalry in the past.
“I don’t think the post
position is too important in this case, because both Silverlode and Flameon can
each benefit from the other if not used too hard early.
“I guess the most surprising
thing to us is that Silverlode, like Steve, seems to be defying her age!” Well
stated, Vickie.
***
There are two wagers offered
here each night that come with a reduced 16 percent takeout rate. They are the
50-cent Pick 5, which is decided on the first five races; and the 20-cent Pick
4, which covers the penultimate four races on the program.
Marvin Shapiro Final
heads the marquee
The $8,800 Marvin Shapiro
Final for fillies and mares holds the spotlight Saturday night, with last
week’s elimination winners Dickies Motel and A Wish for Wings getting the top
billing. First post is 6:15 p.m.
The feature is named for
Marvin Shapiro, who was the son of L.K. Shapiro, who owned the Hall of Fame
thoroughbred and California-bred champion Native Diver. He was the president of
Western Harness Racing Inc. in the 1960s and spearheaded legislation that
sanctioned night racing in California. He died in 2003 at the age of 83.
Dickies Motel is a 9-year-old
daughter of Camystic who is owned and trained by Richard Schneider and will
have Luke Plano in the sulky. She will do her work from the No. 5 post in the
field of 10.
Sent off the mild 5-2
favorite in his elimination heat, the bay miss left into a stalking trip for
Plano, ignited when the question was asked in the stretch and drew off to a
three and a half-length victory in a lifetime best 1:55 3/5 clocking.
A Wish For Wings is a
5-year-old Roayl Mattjesty offspring who is owned and trained by Stephen Crump
with James Kennedy at the controls. She is perfect in two starts on the year,
on both occasions tracking the leaders to the lane and then doing her best work
when things got serious.
The even-money choice in her
elimination, the Crump colorbearer left little doubt as she inhaled the leader
into the stretch and waltzed home with four lengths to spare while lowering her
career standard to 1:56 2/5 in the process.
Completing the field are Soul
Diva, Moonshinenmonkeys, Duet, Blue Gem, Perfect Pitch, Blue Note, Speak
English and Mystery Affair.
