Three Open races will be featured during this Saturday night’s program of live racing at Cal Expo, as Pridecrest, Im An Athlete and Delightfully Wild will headine the Open Trot, Open Pace and Distaff Open, respectively.
There will be 10 races decided under the Watch and Wager LLC banner with first post set for 6:40 p.m.
Pridecrest is a six-year-old son of Angus Hall who races for Heather Matthews with Luke Plano reining and training. He has won seven of his eight starts at the current meet, with four of them having come from the demanding Post 10.
Pridecrest established a new track record in his first start at the meet on November 3, as he went coast-to-coast and posted a sharp 1:53.2 clocking. He followed that with five more straight victories, the last four of which came from Post 10.
The Matthews colourbearer tasted defeat for the first time at Cal Expo on March 3, when he was beaten a neck by Talkin Tootsie. He then got his revenge at most recent asking when he waltzed home by almost six lengths after a gate-to-wire mile. He will start from Post 10 this weekend.
Im An Athlete, who has rattled off back-to-back victories at the head of the class – including a lifetime best 1:51 mile at most recent asking – will look to keep the momentum going in the Open Pace.
An eight-year-old son of Art Major out of the Cams Card Shark mare Female Champs, Im An Athlete carries the banner of Ronald Rettig-Zucchi. Jessie Pacheco performs the training and James Kennedy drives.
The hard-hitting veteran has posed for pictures following five of his 10 starts this year after having won seven of his 30 trips to the post last season. He will do his work from the outside post in the field of seven.
(With files from Cal Expo)