Five conditioned trotters, and two in for a claiming tag, were featured at Cal-Expo last night, and Easter Call went on to win for the tenth time this year.
After having left from Post 5, Easter Call and owner/trainer Ralph Silvestri III found themselves with cover on the first turn until being left uncovered at the quarter-mile pole, which was timed in :29.2.
After having gotten stretched out by Jess Or No (driven by Luke Plano), the nine-year-old didn't clear to the front until well past the three-eighths mile marker into a 'used' :58 first-half.
Having received whip taps past the nine-sixteenths of a mile station, and his earplugs kicked out to the five-eighths mile pole, the gelding responded and opened up two and a half lengths midway through the final-turn, then was up by two and three-quarter lengths at the three-quarter mile marker, which was timed in 1:27.
In full gear to the head of the lane, and under urging into the stretch, Easter Call held pretty firm while under a drive to report home a winner ($11.00) by one and a quarter lengths in 1:57.4. It was the 41st win of his career.
Putoneonnetformom (Rocky Stidham) finished in second, and Jess Or No finished just a nose farther back, in third.
Live racing will continue at Cal-Expo on Friday, November 19 at 5:40 p.m. (PST) and on Saturday, November 20 at 5:35 p.m.
On Saturdays, Cal-Expo offers a reduced 15 per cent takeout rate on both the Early and Late Pick-4 wagers, with both Pick-4s now having a $10,000 gross-guaranteed pool.
(Cal-Expo)