A graduate of the Ontario Sires Stakes program is making a name for himself at the age of five with his best season to date, capturing multiple open class events and setting track records along the way.
An Open Trot that brings out track record-holder Pridecrest and an Open Pace featuring Jazzmanian Devil, Eastender and Im An Athlete share the spotlight on a special Tuesday night card at Cal Expo.
First post for the 14-race program is 5:00 p.m. with the Open Trot going as the second event and the co-featured Open Pace immediately following as the third contest of the evening.
The harness action will continue this week with Friday and Saturday cards.
Pridecrest, winning an Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots division at Grand River Raceway in 2014
Pridecrest is a five-year-old son of Angus Hall from the Wesgate Crown mare Spilled Milk who competes for Mark Hinshaw with Luke Plano doing the driving and training. He has accounted for all three of his outings at this meet since arriving from the Midwest, including a track-record performance on November 3.
In that event, he went right to the front for Plano and waltzed home with nearly 10 lengths on his nearest rival while stopping the timer in the new course standard of 1:53.2. He came from off the pace to romp eight nights later, then overcame the assigned No. 10 post and an early miscue to get the job down at most recent asking with some late heroics as the 1-5 choice.
He will once again be asked to do his work from the assigned No. 10 spot on Tuesday while facing Talkin Tootsie, Itzaziam, Silverhill Volo, Silverlode and Dougs Hobby Horse.
Jazzmanian Devil is a six-year-old who carries the banner of William Condon with Kathie Plested conditioning and Mooney Svendsen in his usual position in the sulky. He has accounted for two of the last three Open Paces at this session and was a 1:52.1 victor over this layout earlier in the year.
Eastender narrowly missed to Jazzmanian Devil in the December 1 clash at the head of the class and looms large for owners Maryann Plano and Nikki Hudson and driver/trainer Luke Plano, while Im An Athlete is a hard-knocking Ronald Rettig-Zucchi colourbearer from the Jesse Pacheco barn who helps make things very interesting with James Kennedy at the controls.
There are two wagers that are 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 on the evening; and the 20-cent Pick 4, on the penultimate four races. The Pick 4 comes with a guaranteed gross pool that has been raised to $30,000.
Silverlode earns money the old fashioned way
Silverlode, who will celebrate her ninth birthday next week, added another victory to her resume last weekend and has now banked just shy of $160,000 for owner/breeders Steve and Vickie Desomer.
A daughter of British Sterling out of the outstanding racemare and producer Charlottes Web, Silverlode has been a mainstay on this circuit for quite some time and established her lifetime standard of 1:55.1 over this track last season.
In last week’s appearance with Mooney Svendsen handling the lines, the bay miss dropped into a stalking spot early from her outside slot, made a powerful move to the lead past the half and went on to a seven and a half-length romp while making even-money look like an early Christmas gift.
“We were a little hasty getting her ready to race at this meet,” Vickie said. “That may explain whey her early efforts weren’t that good.
“She is honest and willing and has remained relatively sound throughout her career. She’s lovely to work with and has had the added benefit of Telma Hernandez and Emilio Cisneros as her caretaker.”
(with files from Cal Expo)