With no winning tickets last Saturday night (Jan. 18), there will be a carryover of $6,146 and a $20,000 guaranteed gross pool in Friday night’s (Jan. 24) 20-cent Hi-Five at Cal Expo.
In addition, both the 20-cent Pick-4 and 20-cent Pick-5 come with a reduced 16 per cent takeout rate each night. On Saturdays, there is a $30,000-guaranteed gross pool, with a $40,000 guarantee on Fridays.
There are 12 races on tap Friday night under the Watch and Wager LLC banner, with first post set for 6:10 p.m. The main event is the $8,100 Open Trot headed by Mandeville and Its a Horse.
Mandeville, an eight-year-old son of Majestic Son, is owned, trained and driven by Gerry Longo. He comes into this assignment with 23 wins from his 120 lifetime appearances with $219,000 in the bank and a 1:54.2 standard.
After encountering tough journeys in his previous three outings, including the Joe Lighthill Trot, Mandeville had smoother sailing in the most recent 1-1/2 mile clash at the top rung, as he prevailed by a length over favoured Its A Horse, who was doing his work from the demanding No. 10 slot.
Its A Horse is having an outstanding meet for owner Ray Alan Miller, trainer Marco Rios and pilot Dean Magee. He recorded a three-bagger between Nov. 23 and Dec. 13, including a convincing victory in the Lighthill and is always reliable for a strong finish.
Horsepeople remember Shelly Goudreau
Saturday evening’s Shelly Goudreau Pace is named for one of the most talented drivers to ever ply the trade. He passed away in a racing accident at Hollywood Park in 1982 at the age of 34.
Steve Desomer drove with Goudreau during the six years that he raced in California, and was competing with him in that fateful race at Hollywood Park. “I had the utmost respect for Shelly as both a great driver and a kind and personable man,” Desomer said. “His brilliant career was cut way too short.”
Trainer George Reider will send out likely favourite Bunkerhill Bill in Saturday’s headliner, and recalls being impressed with Shelly Goudreau. “I was just a groom back then, but Shelly was a true gentleman and treated me as an equal.
“He drove one horse I was taking care of by the name of Dalmead who was trained by Chip Lackey, and he beat the best horses on the grounds by open lengths.”
George also has another story to tell that still brings tears to his eyes all these years later.
“The night before that terrible race, I had a horse racing named Kiwi Jane and I borrowed a piece of equipment from Joe Anderson called a jawbreaker, which goes through the bridle to help control the horse.
“After the race, I gave it back to Joe. It turns out (trainer) Frank Ferrante borrowed the same bit the next night and used it for Reagans Lad, which is the horse Shelly was driving. It broke and he fell off the back of the cart. It was so sad for everybody.”
(Cal Expo)