Sunday evening’s Lonnie Beck Series at Cal Expo is named for the late owner/breeder that was such a major influence in California harness racing.
Beck was one of the most important owner/breeders of the last several decades while campaigning some of the top performers on the west coast, including Givmewhatineed, his son Ivegotwhatuneed and Mels Best, just to name a few.
Bob Johnson was among his trainers and remembers him with much respect.
“Lonnie was a good owner and very important to California as an owner and a breeder, especially during the time we needed it most,” Johnson said. “I remember one year we went to the Harrisburg sale and he bought 12 horses to bring back here to race. He made a big difference.”
Lonnie Beck Series Headlines The Program
The Lonnie Beck Series for pacing fillies and mares has the spotlight at Cal Expo Sunday, with familiar stakes rivals Brewski and Js Littlerockstar among the major players.
The contest will go as the fourth on a 10-race program and first post is set at 4:50 p.m. The supporting feature is a conditioned pace that occupies the third-race slot on the evening and Cenalta Power looms the one to beat from the rail in that affair.
Brewski and Js Littlerockstar both figure to have solid support in the Beck Series. The former is a Little Steven homebred that races for Billie Schwartz and Junior Wilkinson, with Wilkinson the conditioner and Luke Plano guiding from the cozy inside slot.
A multiple sire stakes victress, Brewski’s most recent trophy was earned on December 7 when she was parked to the lead at the quarter, took control of things from that point and prevailed by one length over Js Littlerockstar. She set a new mark of 1:57.1 with her victory the following week.
In the most recent sire stakes for the division last week, Brewski crossed the line first, but was disqualified for interference and it was Js Littlerockstar ultimately posing for the pictures while adding another stakes tally to her resume.
Js Littlerockstar is also a daughter of Little Steven that is owned, trained, driven and was bred by James Kennedy. She sports a 1:55.2 career standard and will do her work from the middle of the compact cast.
Rounding out the field are Clara Bea, who gives the Wilkinson barn two looks at the outcome with Chip Lackey in the sulky; Blue Gem for Harold Herrera, and Myrearsurview with Steve Wiseman guiding.
A reminder that the guarantee on the 16 per cent takeout Pick 4 has been raised from $20,000 to $30,000 for the remainder of January.
The Pick 4 is one of four wagers offered on each program with that reduced 16 per cent takeout rate. In addition to the 20-cent Pick 4, there is the 50-cent Pick 5, the 10-cent Jackpot 6 and the 10-cent Hi-Five on the nightcap.
To help players get a head start, announcer Gary Seibel and handicapper Dave Brower do an informative and entertaining simulcast seminar prior to the Pick 4 that has proven to be very popular.
(Cal Expo)