Watch and Wager LLC raises the curtain on their new harness meeting at Cal Expo Friday night with the Alan Kirschenbaum Memorial Pace headlining the card.

The Watch and Wager meeting will run through May 11, with Friday and Saturday programs until December 22, then three nights for the remainder of the meet on a Thursday through Saturday basis. The exception will be a special Wednesday, December 26, card with no racing the following evening.

Friday's feature is named for the longtime owner, breeder and past president of the California Harness Horsemen’s Association, Alan Kirschenbaum, who died last Friday, October 26. There will be a memorial service on the track.

Kirschenbaum was a major factor in California as an owner, breeder and amateur driver for many years. With his stallions Little Steven and British Sterling standing at Cherry Tree Farm in Wilton, Kirschenbaum helped support the region's industry.

In past years, he even waived his stallion fees to assist the California horsemen in breeding their mares to help the horse population survive in the Golden State. He was a also a huge supporter of the California Sire Stakes and amateur events.

The Kirschembaum Memorial is a $3,400 pacing event with a solid field of nine set to face the starter in the eighth race during the 14-race program.

There is also a $6,000 Open Trot that will go as the third race on the evening and will match Shelby County, Dudis Angel, Giles L S Hanover, Alpine Hawk and Franky Provolone.

First post for the live action is 5:55 p.m. and racing will continue on Saturday with a 13-race program.

There will be a 50 cent Pick 5 beginning with the third race, a $1 Pick 4 with a guaranteed gross pool of $25,000 starting on the 10th race, and a 10 cent Super High 5 conducted on the finale. All of these wagers feature a reduced 16 per cent takeout rate and will have carryovers if there is no winning ticket.

(With files from Cal Expo)