After having been forced to cancel last week due to heavy smoke from the Paradise fire, racing is set to resume at Cal Expo this Friday night (Nov. 23) and Mr Varsity will head the $4,800 pacing feature from the outside slot.
First post for the nine-race Watch and Wager LLC program will be at 7:10 p.m.
Mr Varsity is a four-year-old son of Roll With Joe who is owned by Nikki Hudson and Dave Haness and is reined and trained by Luke Plano. His first start at the meet came at the Open level and he had to settle for a third-place cheque after having sat a pocket trip as the 7-5 choice.
Mr Varsity was a winner this year at Hoosier Park and sports a 1:50 mark that was established last season at the Meadowlands Racetrack. He should be very much at home in Friday’s conditioned affair, but Post 9 will certainly make things more challenging.
The Plano barn will also be represented by Why Ask Why in the headliner with Chip Lackey guiding. The gelding has eight victories on his card from 35 trips to the post this season, including a lifetime-best-equalling 1:53.2 tour at Cal Expo early in the year.
Why Ask Why was last seen taking bows following a victory on September 21 at Hawthorne Race Course where he lit up the board at 46-1 after having got up by a neck that evening. The missed time is the biggest question mark with this pacer.
Cantholdmebackmack looms a major player with a race under his belt and a positive switch from Post 9 to Post 3 for his Friday assignment. Jessie Pacheco owns and trains and Steve Wiseman will once again be doing the honours. Completing the field will be General Time, Almost Cut My Hair, Bettor in The Bank, Mister Hat, Crusin For You and Swagsasaururex.
(Cal Expo)