The California Harness Horsemen’s Association and Cal-Expo have agreed to extend its current shipping incentive purse program to December 19, 2010 or until the funding of $150,000 for all programs is exhausted, whichever comes first.

The program is designed to help offset shipping costs to horsemen who would like to ship to Cal-Expo from out of state locations.

Owners of eligible horses will receive a shipping incentive purse if following conditions are met:

• All horses must be approved for the program by the Racing Secretary of Cal-Expo, Fred Kuebler by calling 916-263-3617/3618/3599 PRIOR TO SHIPPING.
• A total of $400 will be paid to owners whose horses are 'returning' horses to Cal-Expo. These horses have raced at Cal Expo before but their last pari-mutuel start prior to starting at Cal-Expo in September, October, November, or December 2010 was in 2010 in a pari-mutuel race at a racetrack in the US or Canada.
• A total of $800 will be paid to owners whose horses have never raced at Cal-Expo but have started in a pari-mutuel race at a racetrack in the US or Canada in 2010.
• The shipping incentive purse will be paid to owners for APPROVED HORSES only after the approved horses have completed their second pari-mutuel at Cal-Expo prior to December 19, 2010.
• The CHHA and Cal-Expo reserve the right to make all decisions regarding the eligibility of any and all horses.

The CHHA and Cal-Expo have also agreed to offer late closing series races during the Fall 2010 Meet, which includes over $60,000 in purses for the following classes of horses:

• $2,500/$3,500 Claiming
• $4,000/$5,000 Claiming (Trot, Pace, Colts/Geldings and Fillies/Mares)
• NW 5/$12,500 Life (Colts/Geldings and Fillies/Mares)

For more information, contact the Cal-Expo racing office at 916-263-3617/3618/3599.

Lucky Peterson Needs No Luck

A class rise didn't stop Lucky Peterson from a repeat victory.

Conditioned claiming pacers were featured at Cal-Expo on Thursday, August 26, on which Lucky Peterson was fastest of all.

In advance of starting from Post 4 in the field of seven, both trainer and driver were unsure of what to expect from Lucky Peterson.

"Mark (Anderson) told me to give him an easy trip because he was in a little tougher," stated driver Kevin Anderson. "I was hoping he would be good enough to beat these, but I wasn't sure if he could."

Coming away in fourth position through first-half fractions of :29.4 and :59.2, Anderson stuck to the plan when he didn't pull first-over with seven 16ths of a mile to go.

Now shuffled midway through the final turn, Anderson moved his charge to the cover train past the three-quarter mile pole, timed in 1:28.4, then followed three-wide cover for the drive.

"I thought my chances were pretty good at that point because the horse I was following was live, plus my horse felt good."

Drafting until moving four-wide at mid-stretch, Anderson now felt even more confident.

"I thought he'd win then because he still felt good and it didn't look like anyone else was going anywhere."

Closing willing while only urged a few times late, the three-year old won ($18.00) by one and a quarter lengths. Bred and owned by trainer Mark Anderson in partnership with the J J J Stables, the gelding stopped the timer at 1:58.3, a lifetime best. Culture Shift (driven by John Obert), the longest shot on the board at 41-1, was second, and Power Of Elizabeth (Luke Plano) finished another quarter of one-length farther back, in third.

"He was strong in the last sixteenth of a mile in a race that worked out perfect -- better than I thought. He raced as good as he could," Anderson concluded.

Luke Plano recorded four wins on the nine-race card.

Live racing continues at Cal-Expo on Friday, August 27 and Saturday, August 28 at 6:45 p.m. (PDT).

(Cal-Expo)