It wasn’t as easy as the 2-5 odds might lead one to believe, but the three-year-old pacer Just B Talking got the job done last week in a blanket finish for his owner/trainer/driver Gerry Longo.
Just B Talking, who was a beaten favourite in his Cal Expo debut on opening night when he settled for an exacta completion, did his work in first-over fashion at most recent asking and was on the right end of the photo finish.
“I bought him last month in Indiana,” Longo has said. “I thought he had some good races and he had conditions, so it figured he would do well out here.
“I blame myself for his losing that first start, because I sat in too long with him and we got locked in, but he was coming real strong at the end.
“To be honest, I didn’t think he was as good in this last mile, but he got the win anyway. There’s a series coming up for him in a few weeks and that’s what we’re pointing for right now.”
The 74-year-old has 13 performers under his care at Cal Expo and comes into this week’s action with 2,875 driving victories and over $12 million in earnings.
“My goal is to get to 3,000 wins,” he said. “I still love to come out every morning and work with the horses, and as long as I can go out on the track at night and do a good job, I’ll keep on driving.”
Pair of Opens, Funicello Prep Atop Bill
The Annette Funicello Prep, a Distaff Open Pace and an Open Trot will share the spotlight Friday night at Cal Expo.
There are 11 races on the Watch and Watch and Wager LLC program. The action will get underway at 6:15 p.m.
Dancers Fancy looms large in the Annette Funicello Prep after having scored a nice victory on opening night. The four-year-old mare carries the banner of Vikki Pheilsticker with Rick Bertrand training and James Kennedy in the sulky.
Glad To Meet Ya figures to have a strong say in the outcome despite having to do her work from the outside post in the field of eight. The three-year-old Disco Devil homebred races for Billie Schwartz and Junior Wilkinson (Wilkinson performs the training duties and Luke Plano handles the lines).
Completing the field will be Lookslikewemadeit, Sing N Sandi, Lickcreek Speedway, Thats How It Goes, Rosebud’s First and Hot Dandy.
Looking at the Filly and Mare Open, Fancy Little Girl should appreciate getting away from Capitol Hill after having chased her stablemate home in the first two top dances for the division. The dark-hued mare is owned by Benvenga Racing LLC, Taylor and Plested, hails from the Kathie Plested shedrow and has Steve Wiseman guiding.
There are two wagers offered nightly at Cal Expo that feature a reduced 16 per cent takeout rate. They are the 50-cent Pick 5, which begins on the first race, and the 20-cent Pick 4, which comes with a $20,000-guaranteed pool on Fridays and $30,000 on Saturdays.
(Cal Expo)