The classy, newly-turned 13-year-old trotter Mandeville, one of the more popular performers at Cal Expo over the last few seasons, has been retired and will be moving on to his next career as an emotional support horse.

Mandeville, who for many years did his work with owner/trainer/driver Gerry Longo, leaves the game with 61 wins, 41 second and 48 third-place finishes from his 273 lifetime appearances while putting $539,114 into this bank account.

He began his career in Canada at two for trainer Wayne Langille and has posed for pictures following major events in California, Kentucky, Illinois, Minnesota and Virginia, including several Open Trots at Cal Expo.

“Mandeville will be retiring to Fresno as an emotional support horse,” related Jennifer Sperry, who manages the farm where Longo has Mandeville turned out. “He’ll continue to get his favourite snacks and naps.

“Trot on Manny, you deserve it!”

Cal Expo salutes this game performer and wishes him the best as he prepares for a new career.

Cal Expo cards pair of Open Paces

An Open Pace headed by Reagan Blue Chip and Allmyxsliventexas and a Filly and Mare Open Pace rematching Aint She Special and Graceful Horizon get the marquee treatment Saturday night at Cal Expo.

Watch and Wager LLC will present nine races with first post set for 6:35 p.m.

Reagan Blue Chip will be gunning for his third straight victory at the meet for owners Nathalie Tremblay and Dave Kuri with Tremblay the conditioner.

Both of his victories have been with John MacDonald in the bike, but he will guiding his own trainee Capt Jack Hanover in Saturday’s co-feature.

In last week’s top dance, Reagan Blue Chip sat the pocket for the a half, brushed to the lead and held off Allmyxsliventexas by a half-length that evening.

The latter is a now 12-year-old homebred who races for Wayne Knittel and takes his lessons from Bob Johnson. He comes into this assignment with 65 wins from his 212 starts, $382,576 in his bank account a 1:50 mark that was set six years ago at Hoosier Park.

Aint She Special will be looking for a repeat in the Distaff Open after hanging a neck decision on favoured Graceful Horizon in a game mile for both these pacers.

(Cal Expo; photo of Mandeville winning at Running Aces)