Michael Meza is off to a flying start as a trainer, with one of his two horses being the streaking pacer Officer Jim.
Claimed in January, seven-year-old Officer Jim (American Ideal - Freedom Crossing) has proceeded to win four of his five starts for owner Debra McCarthy, including last week’s Open Pace at Cal Expo in which he toured the oval in a sizzling 1:51.4.
Stepping up to last week’s Open with Sean Smithpeters guiding, Officer Jim was able to land into a pocket trip behind favoured Unfiltered, tracked that one to the drive and then ignited when it counted to win going away by a length and three-quarters.
Interestingly, the Meza trainee has had three different drivers in those last three scores, and will have yet another pilot with James Kennedy taking over the controls for Saturday night’s headliner, the $8,000 Open Pace.
“It’s been a wild ride with this horse,” said 22-year-old Meza, who just took out his license at the start of the year. “His win on a sloppy track two back was fantastic, and last week Sean (Smithpeters) was able to work out a pocket trip behind the fastest horse, which is always nice.”
Meza’s father is a blacksmith and he originally was a fan of the thoroughbreds, that is until a night several years ago when he got a ride in the starting car here at Cal Expo with the late Kenny Fowler.
“I was hooked on harness racing after that,” Meza said. “I got a great education working for Bob Johnson and then Edwin Quevado, and the timing seemed right to get my feet wet.”
So far so good, with Officer Jim eyeing four in a row in Saturday’s headliner in hopes of continuing that wild ride for Meza.
In addition to Unfiltered, who will be looking for some revenge this week, the cast includes Chase The Gold, Firenado, Northbrook Ron, Dancin Lance and Keystone Tenacious.
There will be 11 races decided under the Wager and Wager LLC banner with first post set for 6:15 p.m. The main event is slotted as the sixth contest on the evening.
Looking ahead to Sunday night’s program, a pair of $20,000 Sire Stakes for the four-year-old pacers will command the spotlight.
In the male division, Cenalta Hawk and JP Jetty have accounted for the first two stakes dances at the meet, while Give Me This Dance and Divine Art will continue their developing rivalry among the pacing mares.
(with files from Cal Expo)