A contentious $7,000 Filly and Mare Open Pace, which finds stablemates Outrageousdelightn and Capitol Hill doing battle once again, and the Robert Staats Prep headline the Cal-Expo action on Saturday night.
The first race for the 12-race card presented by Watch and Wager LLC goes at 6:10 p.m. The Staats Prep is scheduled as the sixth event and will be immediately followed by the Distaff Open.
Outrageousdelightn made an impressive California debut in last week’s top dance as she sat to the lane and then exploded with a :27 final quarter to be up by a neck over Brighten Your Life in a 1:52 mile, shaving four ticks off her career standard.
The now 10-year-old daughter of Bettors Delight is owned by Don and Barbara Arnstine, Steve Chambers and Tyler Wiseman with Kathie Plested training and Mooney Svendsen in the sulky for that score.
Brighten Your Life has turned in three solid efforts since coming in from Canada for her owner-trainer-driver Nathan Sobey. She won the Alan Horowitz Prep in her local debut on Dec. 6, just missed in a game try in the Horowitz Memorial at next asking and got nailed on the line in last week’s Open.
Capitol Hill gives the Plested shedrow another shot in the feature. The Badlands Hanover mare races for Plested and George McChrystal and had her work cut out last week leaving from assigned-post 10 after rattling off three-straight wins here at the head of the class.
Rounding out the field, from the rail out: Directing Traffic, Bettor Lady, Misspanderosajones, Legio X Equestris, Delightfully Wild and Magnifique.
Legislation that took effect Jan. 1 allows a full card of international harness simulcasting to our California patrons.
The new law is applicable on nights of live racing only and California fans can now look forward to harness action from Woodbine Mohawk Park every Friday and Saturday evening.
“We are very pleased to offer the world class Woodbine Mohawk Park product to our California patrons,” said Cal Expo General Manager Chris Schick. “This quality product with large pools and low minimums will nicely compliment our nightly Meadowlands imports.
“We are also pleased to have talented Toronto handicapper Garnet Barnsdale aboard each week to follow trends and horses to watch.”
There are two wagers offered here nightly with a reduced 16-percent takeout rate. They are the 50-cent Pick 5, which begins on the first race; and the 20-cent Pick 4.
The Pick 4 guaranteed pools have now been raised, with a $30,000 guarantee on Fridays and a $40,000 guarantee on Saturdays.
(With files from Cal-Expo)