On paper, the win by Nextopmodel On Thursday, February 18 at Cal-Expo will look like any other victorious trip around the oval, but driver Jim Lackey knows better.

The gate was rolling (the first time) and was almost to the point of no return when starter Bill Vallandingham declared a recall, at which time it was announced that Nextopmodel had suffered broken equipment and would need to return to the paddock for a repair.

“There’s something called the crouper that attaches to the sulky and wraps around the horse, and somehow it broke between the eighth and the sixteenth pole,” Lackey related. “I started yelling and the starter heard me and called for the recall. If this had happened during a race? Let’s just say it wouldn’t be good.”

Nextopmodel returned to the paddock and the Marco Rios trainee was fixed up in quick order and back to the track.

“Nat Tremblay was gracious enough to lend us one from one of her horses and we were ready to go.”

Lackey was asked if the delay and trip to the paddock put his trotter at a disadvantage, which is usually the case when a thoroughbred has to go back for some reason.

“I don’t think it’s the same with a harness horse,” Lackey said. “Everybody is pretty much in the same boat, because they were all on the gate and ready to go until the last minute, then had to stop and wait. It’s probably toughest on the horses that are all wound up and ready to leave.

“My horse was calm the whole time, and all we did when everything was fixed in the paddock was go back to the track and make a left hand turn. It all worked out in the end.”

Pacing Distaffers Do Battle In Co-Features At Cal-Expo

Wicked Beach, fresh from solid back-to-back wins at this level; and One More Molly, who is best known for her 12-race winning streak that ended earlier in the year, get the top billing in Cal-Expo's Thursday, February 25 $3,200 pacing co-headliners for fillies and mares at Cal-Expo.

Wicked Beach is a seven-year-old daughter of Wicked Island who is owned and trained by Gretchen Smith and will once again have James Kennedy in the sulky. She is going in razor-sharp form at the moment as she heads the cast for the sixth event on the program and figures to be motoring when it counts.

One More Molly will certainly have her share of backers in the co-featured 11th contest from the No. 5 slot. The Hi Ho Silverheels offspring made the headlines when she rattled off 12 in a row for Denise and Tim Maier, with that skein finally coming to an end on January 17.

Since that setback, she has had her picture taken following two of the last five appearances with a pair of seconds and a third. Her most recent score came off a pocket journey on February 5 and she was at even-money in last week’s troubled fray won by Wicked Beach. No matter how things shake out early, she is likely to make her presence felt at crunch time.

Keystone Eli Eyeing Earnings Milestone

Keystone Eli, who along with Ivegotwhatuneed will represent the Bob Johnson barn in Cal-Expo's Friday, February 26 feature, is poised to go over the $240,000 in earnings with his next paycheck.

“He’s one of my all-time favourites, no doubt about it,” related Johnson, who conditions Keystone Eli for Hei Mitchell. “He’s just a good, old honest horse who goes out there and gives everything he has to give.”

The seven-year-old son of Shady Character set his 1:51-flat career standard four years ago and has gone a number of big miles over the Cal-Expo layout. Johnson relates he hasn’t been able to race him as much as he’s wanted to so far this season, as Friday will mark his fifth trip to the post in 2010, resulting in a win, two seconds and a third.

“He missed the race two weeks ago because of a little issue, then Mooney (Lemoyne Svendsen) said he was grabbing on at the gate last week and wanted to go the lead. He’s the type of horse who does better when he can race every week, and he can be a little aggressive when he’s missed a start.”

Keystone Eli carved out all the fractions in last week’s effort, and while unable to hold off Pacific Admiral that evening, he got the place money by a length over stablemate Ivegotwhatuneed. The latter is co-owned by Johnson and Marty Garey and along with Pacific Admiral will be back to challenge the popular performer this weekend. As usual, it should be interesting.

West Amateurs Readying For Challenge

It’s almost time again for the popular East-West Amateur Driving Challenge, set to take place at Cal-Expo on the weekend of April 9 and 10. It will be the fifth consecutive year for the challenge.

The California squad has prevailed in three of the last four events, and this year will be represented by returning pilots Chris Hernandez, Rick Bertrand and David Siegel, along with first-timer Robert Stepien.

The East Coast has arguably assembled their most competitive squad in hopes of turning the tables. Todd Whitney (2009 Amateur Driver of the Year) and Tom Williams (2008 Amateur Driver of the Year) will both be making their second invasions of California and will be joined by Kelly Walker and Dave Ehrenberg.

Over the last four years, 19 different Billings drivers have ventured to Cal-Expo to do battle with their West Coast counterparts in what has proven to be a very popular event for both the horsemen and the fans.

"I am so pleasantly surprised that after five years, the East-West Challenge is still going strong,” said California Amateur Driving Club President David Siegel. “It’s a wonderful event for the amateurs and it gives our program here at Cal-Expo some much needed variety and exposure. The entire club is grateful for the support of the CHHA and Cal-Expo and all they have given to this event."

California Harness Horseman’s Association President Alan Kirschenbaum is not only a well-known owner and breeder, but also an accomplished amateur reinsman in his own right.

“The CHHA is happy to continue to support the challenge as it has the last four years. As an avid amateur myself, I know how much diversity amateur driving brings to our program out here and all over North America. We are particularly appreciative of the Billings group traveling such a long distance to support this unique series.”

Cal-Expo General Manager Dave Elliott is also a strong supporter of the challenge.

“We love the notion of this special event,” he said. “Amateur racing is at the historic heart of harness racing and we are happy to endorse it. Our local club and the Billings organization are shining examples of what can be accomplished in amateur competition.”

Live racing resumes at Cal-Expo on Thursday, February 25 and continues through Saturday, February 27. First-race post time on Thursday is at 5:05 p.m. (PST). First-race post time on Friday, February 26 is at 5:30 p.m. First-race post time on Saturday is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.

(Cal-Expo)