An Open Trot headed by stablemates Inside Broadway and Franks Best and a trio of $10,000 California Sire Stakes dashes share this week’s marquee Friday night card at the Watch and Wager LLC meet at Cal Expo.
A 15-race card is on tap with first post set at 5:20 p.m. The Open Trot has been carded as the eighth race on the evening program. The sire stakes dash for three-year-old pacing fillies occupies the sixth spot, while the other two stakes will head to post as non-betting events prior to the regular program.
Inside Broadway started off the new year in winning fashion by capturing the top dance for the trotting set on January 3 for her owner/breeder/trainer Bob Johnson and regular pilot James Kennedy. He made a huge move down the backside to go from fifth to first and came home powerfully to seal the deal in a 1:58 performance.
Franks Best is also owned, trained and was bred by Johnson and is a half-brother to Inside Broadway with both being out of the American Winner mare Inside Edition. An earner of over $185,000 with a 1:56.2 career standard, the seven-year-old has several Invite wins at the meet and will once again be guided by Mooney Svendsen.
Rounding out the field are Bet It All from the rail for Steve Wiseman; Rich Dessert with trainer Tim Maier in the sulky; El Azteca, to be guided by Tyler Smith; and Axel with Dave Siegel at the controls.
The sire stakes for the sophomore pacing fillies will give that group its first added-money opportunity at the meeting. Trainer Junior Wilkinson will send out an uncoupled pair in Brewski, who has the inside slot with Tyler Smith, and Clara Bea with Chip Lackey at the helm. They will be challenged by Js Littlerockstar, Merlot, De Valeria and Perfect Pitch.
The other two sire stakes are for the trotting set. Kimmie Girl’s offspring Freedombird looks to add another trophy to the mantle for trainer Gordie Graham and pilot Luke Plano in the four-year-old affair, while Ahh Panama is among the major players in the three-year-old contest.
(Cal Expo)