A $6,000 Open II Distaff Pace headed by Magnifique and a $5,500 Open II Trot featuring Dougs Hobby Horse and Windsun Galaxie are the main attractions on the Friday, Dec. 28 program at Cal Expo. There will be 12 races presented by Watch and Wager LLC with first post set for 6:10 p.m.
Looking at the Filly and Mare Open II event, Magnifique figures to have her share of backers leaving from the cozy rail slot for Luke Plano, who reins and trains the seven-year-old mare for Nikki Hudson.
Magnifique started the meet with a victory in a conditioned contest, was third in a blanket finish in the Nov. 30 Open and, at most recent asking, was beaten only a half-length while picking up the show money behind the streaking Scary Harry in the Alan Horowitz Memorial.
Several of the performers in the co-featured Open II Trot have the credentials to get the picture taken, including a pair from the Rick Bertrand barn in Dougs Hobby Horse and Majestic Lady Jo.
The latter, who carries the banner of Bertrand and Amy Grunwald, was a 29-1 upset winner of the Open on Dec. 7, while Dougs Hobby Horse races for Bertrand and Doug Flores and sports an Open victory from last month.
Windsun Galaxie is coming off a solid runner-up effort behind Silverhill Volo in the most recent clash at the head of the division two weeks ago and has been assigned the outside post in the field of six. Dean Magee handles the lines for owner Ronald Rettig-Zucchi and conditioner Jessie Pacheco.
There are two wagers offered nightly at Cal-Expo which come with a 16-percent takeout rate, giving players extra incentive to participate in these horizontal bets. The wagers 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.
In addition, Cal Expo offers 20-cent Trifectas and 10-cent Superfectas, affording players the opportunity to spread deep in these vertical wagers.
(With files from Cal-Expo)