Im An Athlete, who has rattled off three straight wins, including an upset at the head of the class; and Barbarian, his most immediate victim in that last mile, head the field for Friday night’s featured Open Pace at Cal Expo.

Watch and Watch LLC will present 12 races Friday with first post set for 6:15 p.m.

Im An Athlete is a seven-year-old son of Art Major out of the Cams Card Shark mare Female Champs who is owned by Ronald Rettig-Zucchi, trained by Lino Pacheco, and will have the services of James Kennedy.

After having captured back-to-back conditioned events, Im An Athlete returned to the Open ranks for his most recent assignment with Kennedy at the controls. He stalked to the lane, ignited when the question was asked, and prevailed by a head over 2-5 favourite Barbarian in a 1:53.1 tour over a track labelled ‘good.’

Barbarian is a six-year-old son of Somebeachsomewhere out of the Western Ideal mare Righteous Renee who races for owner Robert Orr, takes his lessons from Sparky Clarke, and will once again be guided by Luke Plano.

He had a four-race winning streak snapped by Im An Athlete last time, carving out all the fractions in that affair before being collared right on the money. He was very game in his previous four scores, including one from the demanding Post 10, putting his class and versatility on display in the process.

Rounding out the field are Buddys Hope, who will start from the cozy rail slot with William Hernandez; Jazzmanian Devil, to be handled by Steve Wiseman; and Allymxsliventexas, who will have Mooney Svendsen in the sulky.

(Cal Expo)