Friday night’s (Dec. 18) program at Cal-Expo will find a $5,500 conditioned trot and an $8,296 carryover in the 20-cent early Pick-5 holding the spotlight. First post for the 12-race Watch and Wager LLC card is 4:50 p.m.

The early Pick-5 is conducted on the first five events of the evening and there will be a $30,000 guaranteed gross pool. The 20-cent early and late Pick-5 and the 20-cent Pick-4 all come with a reduced 16 per cent takeout rate.

Free past performances for the Friday program are available at ustrotting.com.

Looking at Friday’s main event, Mshindi is exiting a fourth-place finish in last week’s Joe Lighthill Trot behind Silverhill Volo, and looms a tough customer with Luke Plano handling the Bruce Nickells colour bearer for trainer Tim Clevenger.

Mshindi will leave from the No. 2 slot in the field of seven and will have Teachmehowtotory on his inside, while the outside challengers will be Flameon, Bringthegold, Glenferrie Dreamer, Jesse’s Student and Major Al-Mar.

On Saturday evening (Dec. 19), the Annette Funicello/Glen Holt Final and the Joe Alto Filly and Mare Pace will be the main attractions.

Please note there will be mandatory payouts on all wagers Saturday. The second half of the meet will get underway on Dec. 26.

Best Dream Seeker ready for social security

When the calendar turns to Jan. 1, Best Dream Seeker becomes 15 years old for official purposes and will have completed the racing portion of his career.

The pacing son of Cambest comes into this weekend having made 453 starts, with 43 wins, 63 seconds and 68 thirds. He has nearly $490,000 in his bank account and sports a 1:51.4 mark that was set back when George W. Bush was still president.

“He’s a nice horse to be around and work with,” said trainer Rick Bertrand, who co-owns the veteran with Vikki Pfeilsticker and Amy Fichtner and has had him for the last 2-1/2 years.

“He’ll remain in the barn for the winter to help pony the tough horses who don’t jog very well. He’ll also be useful to help train the babies and teach them to race before being turned out for the summer.”

Bertrand has done his homework as far as Best Dream Seeker is concerned, noting that he’s raced at 23 different tracks and posed for pictures at 15 of those venues.

He also pointed out that the veteran pacer has had 27 different trainers and 88 different drivers, winning for 26 of those pilots. “I’d have to say over the years he’s been handled by just about every top driver in the country,” his mentor added.

Cal-Expo wishes a long and happy retirement to Best Dream Seeker.

(Cal-Expo)