Claiming trotters, racing for a purse of $3,200 over a track listed as 'good,’ were featured at Cal-Expo on Sunday, January 24, on which Easter Call won for the 33rd time in his career.

Leaving and racing four-wide for an eighth of a mile from Post 6 in the field of the same number, then racing three and two until being left uncovered to the quarter-mile pole, timed in :30.1, the nine year-old didn't clear a testy lead until the five-sixteenths-mile pole. Was there reason for worry from his pilot?

"I was absolutely concerned because of all the horses that left," stated driver Jim Lackey. "My horse and Ailenes Prince (driven by Rick Plano) got a little chewed up in the first-turn and my horse had to work to get the lead."

Hitting the brakes once on the lead, Lackey was able to give his charge a :31.1 second-quarter breather while reaching the half-mile station, timed in 1:01.2.

"I was able to give him a rest and that was nice, but sometimes they don't restart."

With the field now less than a half-mile from home, Lackey was cautiously preparing.

"I didn't want to get bull-rushed after the half because I had geared him down. So I chased after him because I didn't want them to sweep by him."

Asking his trotter via whip taps and moderate wheel-disc urging through most of the final turn, and leading by one and three-quarter lengths midway through the final bend, Lackey's message would soon finally reach its destination.

"Once he finally got the idea and I pulled the earplugs at the three-quarters (1:31), then it seemed like he was giving whatever he had."

Still under continuous wheel-disc urging, Easter Call responded fully at the head of the lane and opened up by two-lengths.

"He wasn't loaded down the stretch, but I kept chasing after him while he kept battling and it ended up being enough."

Holding pretty firm to win ($5.00) by one and three-quarter lengths, the Mark Anderson-owned and trained trotter stopped the timer in 2:00. Ailenes Prince finished in second, and Frankies Pride (Luke Plano) finished just a nose farther back, in third.

"The horse seems to have re-found his form in the last two weeks and it was a good race for him," Lackey concluded.

Live racing resumes at Cal-Expo on Thursday, January 28 and continues through Saturday, January 30. First-race post times are scheduled for 5:30 p.m. (PST). On Thursday, a carryover of $4,981.71 will be added into the Early Super High 5 Pool (Race 3). Total estimated pool is $20,000!

Additionally, on Thursday Cal Expo will host a no entry fee, Mid-Week Madness Handicapping Tourney at participating California satellite wagering facilities, racetracks, and casinos. Ten thousand dollars in total prize money will be offered.

(Cal-Expo)