Jake Cutting has literally flown off the gate at the Cal-Expo meeting with the equivalent of a :26-and-change opening quarter, scoring with 17 of his first 51 drives.

The Calgary native has displayed the cool of someone far beyond his 19 years, and is making quite an impression.

“My mom and dad, my aunt and uncle, my sister and her boyfriend and my grandparents on my mom’s side have all been involved with the sport,” Cutting related. “From as far back as I can remember, this is what I wanted to do.”

One of Jake’s fondest memories came when Jim Marino won the Alberta Super Final for his parents. “I was about 9 or 10 at the time and it was quite a thrill.”

In addition to leading the driver standings, Cutting also has a stable of his own and has been making steady trips to the winner’s circle with those proteges.

“I’ve got nine right now, and 10 would be about perfect.”

In his brief career, Jake has competed over half-mile, seven-eighths and mile tracks, with his preference being the latter, which is the case at Cal-Expo. “It’s easier to trip out on a mile track, and you can drive each individual horse accordingly,” he noted.

As far as competition, Cutting said he would love to participate in each and every race, and his strong performance through the first few weeks has certainly garnered the attention of horsemen in terms of securing drives.

“I’ve been fortunate to drive with a lot of very experienced drivers,” he noted. “I always take advice and I’ve been able to learn a lot in a short time.”

Silverhill Volo heads Joe Lighthill Trot

Silverhill Volo, fresh from back-to-back tallies at the head of the class, leads the field for Saturday’s (Dec. 12) featured $10,000 Joe Lighthill Trot.

The headliner will go as the fifth contest on an 11-race card and things get underway at 4:55 p.m. PST under the Watch and Wager LLC banner.

Chip Lackey, reins, trains and owns Silverhill Volo, a nine-year-old son of Muscle Hill who will vie for his 27th career snapshot from 138 appearances. He has a 1:55.15 career standard and is looking to add to a $160,000 career account.

He was 6-1 when he captured the Nov. 27 Open, withstanding a strong bid up front on the final turn before drawing away late. Off at even money in his last tour, Silverhill Volo was parked to the lead by the quarter, took complete control from that, and went on to a three-length decision for Lackey.

Mandevillie was the runner-up to Silverhill Volo in last week’s Open and will be looking for some revenge this weekend for his owner-driver-trainer Gerry Longo. He lands the rail with Silverhill Volo just to his outside in the cast of seven.

The eight-year-old Majestic Son gelding has posed for pictures following eight of his 20 trips to the post this season, the most recent coming at Oak Grove in early November. He is looking to add to a $266,000 lifetime bankroll.

Pridecrest turned in a sharp qualifying win last weekend and has gone many strong races over this layout in the past. He helps make things very interesting for trainer Kathy Plested.

Completing the field are Bringthgold, Major Al Mar, Jesses Student and Mshindi.

(Cal-Expo)