A class rise to face the best horses on the grounds didn't stop Albion from repeating

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Winners Over pacers, racing for a purse of $4,500, were featured at Cal Expo on Saturday night (March 31) over a sloppy track, on which Albion won for the 23rd time in his career. In advance of starting from his assigned Post 5 in the field of six, driver Luke Plano backed up what the form book provided.

"I thought, based off of his current form, that he had as good a shot as anybody," said Plano.

With the field sent on their way, Albion came away in fifth position, but not for long.

"I figured I wouldn't rush him early since he was moving up in class, but with the pace being slow, I decided to head him to the front."

On the move well after 3/16ths of a mile into a :29 opening quarter, the six-year-old cleared to the lead past the three-eighths mile station, whereupon Plano grabbed a hold of his pacer, who appeared to be pacing easily despite going a second-quarter individually timed in :27.1, into a :57.2 first-half.

"The second-quarter was wind-aided, so I didn't feel like I used him all that hard. He felt pretty comfortable and I thought I was in good shape."

Urging his charge once to the five-eighths mile pole and getting a response while having a hold of his pacer, Plano soon chased after his horse midway through the final turn, all with a reason.

"I figured if I had enough real estate by the time I got to the lane, combined with the headwind in the stretch, that it would be hard for the other guys to make up ground on me. When I urged him on the turn, he responded well and was quite strong and doing everything I asked."

On top by two lengths and being urged at the three-quarter mile marker, timed in 1:25.3, Plano was optimistic, but mother nature kept him alert.

"He still felt pretty good at the three-quarters and I thought my chances were solid, but with the wind being a little heavy it made it hard to gauge where everybody was at, so I kept after him."

Still asking with less than 3/16ths of a mile to go and opening up the lead, Plano could resort to just moderate urging as there'd be no catching his gelding.

"He was pacing full and I thought I had the race pretty well wrapped up, but I just wanted to make sure he kept to his task, and he did."

Owned by Dan Tullio and James Mascola in partnership with trainer Matias Ruiz, Albion won ($3.40) by four and a quarter lengths in 1:54. Marlin Hanover (Scott Cisco) finished in second and Amigo De Garcia (Steve Wiseman) finished half of a one-length father back in third.

"I expected a solid effort from him and that's what I got. He has been sharp all along and raced very well up in class," finished Plano, who recorded four victories on the 15-race program.

(Cal Expo)