A $5,500 Open Trot that rematches current Cal Expo divisional leaders Flameon and Silverlode, and a contentious $5,500 Open Pace share the spotlight this coming Friday night at the California track.
There are 14 races on tap on the Watch and Wager LLC program. First post is set for 6:10 p.m. The Open Pace is scheduled as the fifth race, while the Open Trot has been carded as the 13th event on the evening.
Flameon and Silverlode have been putting on quite a show at Cal Expo, trading blows at the head of the trotting class, with each coming away with two victories from their four meetings. Three of those clashes were decided by a neck, a head, and last week by only a nose.
Flameon is a six-year-old son of Angus Hall who is owned by Mark Anderson, hails from the Gordie Graham barn, and will once again have the services of Chip Lackey. He will start from the assigned outside post in the field of five.
Flameon was on the winning end of last week’s extremely close finish in the Open Trot, as he gamely prevailed after a first-over journey on a ‘sloppy’ track. It was the 11th win on the season from 21 appearances for the Anderson colourbearer.
Silverlode is a seven-year-old homebred daughter of British Sterling who races for the Desomer Stables, and will have Steve Wiseman in the sulky while starting from just inside her arch-rival. She has returned to the winner’s circle following six of her 18 trips to the post this year.
Completing the field will be Zoraze, who will have the services of Tony Succorotte; Windsun Galaxe, who is to be guided by Mooney Svendsen; and Kickinitwithkohler, who will start from the cozy rail slot with Luke Plano giving directions.
The 50-cent Pick 5 will once again get Cal Expo’s Friday card started, while the 20-cent Pick 4 will be decided on the penultimate four contests on the program.
Looking at the holiday schedule at Cal Expo, the trotters and pacers will be in action on Friday and Saturday this week.
The next racing program will be a special Monday, December 26 card, to be followed by racing on Friday, December 30 and Sunday, January 1. The December 26 and January 1 programs will have an earlier 4:45 p.m. first post.
Racing will then return to the regular Friday and Saturday night schedule beginning Friday, January 6 through the end of the month.
(With files from Cal Expo)