On February 10, Window Wiper turned in a solid effort in what was her first start for Robin Clements and David Siegel, as she checked in a close third in Cal Expo’s Filly and Mare Open after having sat a tracking journey.

The seven-year-old daughter of Island Fantasy was claimed from her prior effort at Cal Expo and co-owners Clements and Siegel are looking forward to some good things with their new acquisition.

“I had watched Window Wiper when she had been in the $6,000 claimers earlier and raced against Windsun T Bird and almost claimed her a month ago,” trainer Clements related. “I loved how she was so versatile and could leave a first quarter and how she had a huge kick coming home.

“I had previously lost a few horses either claimed or sold, and needed to replace them. I had talked to Dave and asked if he wanted to partner up with me as he is a great owner and we had just sold Every Day Hanover and Brandons Colt had been claimed earlier from us. Dave loved the mare as well, so we claimed her.”

Window Wiper finished third the night she was red-tagged as the 3-2 favourite after having some traffic troubles, then followed with the nice try at the Open level in her initial try for the new connections.

“She has a few issues and is a bull of a mare and needs to learn a few manners, but that will come in time. She is a big and beautiful mare and should fit well with my barn.”

SILVERLODE GETS TOP BILLING IN OPEN TROT

Silverlode has been assigned the demanding Post 10 as she heads the cast for this Friday night’s featured $6,600 Open Trot.

Silverlode is going in razor-sharp form for Steve and Vickie Desomer, and it will be interesting to see how driver Luke Plano navigates the extremely outside slot as the mare looks to continue her winning ways.

Thirteen races will be presented by Watch and Wager LLC with a first post of 5:55 p.m. and there will also be a California Sire Stakes for three-year-old trotters going as a non-betting event prior to the regular card.

Looking at the co-featured Open III Pace, Sandestin Hanover has received the nod. The six-year-old son of Somebeachsomewhere is owned by Little Bapa LLC, is conditioned by George Reider and like Silverlode will be guided by Plano.

A 1:50.2 winner as a four-year-old, Sandestin Hanover had one victory last season, a 1:52.4 score that was recorded at Philadelphia Park. He closed out his 2016 campaign by making his California debut in an Open II contest at this meeting on December 3, where he was no factor.

The Little Bapa representative subsequently turned in a sharp qualifier on February 4 to get his new year rolling, then followed that tuner by finishing fifth at the Open level while chasing home China King in a tough February 10 contest.

Ideal Art comes into this assignment having captured two of his last three outings and may very well handle the step up in class. The American Ideal gelding is owned by Kathleen Plested, Benvenga Racing LLC and Tyler Wiseman with Plested training and Steve Wiseman handling the lines.

(Cal Expo)