Two divisions of the first leg of the Bob Staats Pacing Series and the Don Lovier Memorial Pace featuring Haggin Oaks and Thats Mara will take centre stage at Cal Expo on Friday, November 1.
A 13-card is on tap as the Watch and Wager LLC meet will now find the trotters and pacers in action on Friday and Saturday nights. First post for Friday’s program has been set for 6:10 p.m.
Gene Vallandingham figures to have a strong say in the opening leg of the ‘Staats,’ as his barn will have three representatives in each division, including last week’s winners After Alimony and R Journey Together, both of whom he will guide.
Thats Mara also gives Vallandingham a major look in the co-featured Lovier Memorial, as she is coming off a game decision two weeks ago and should be well supported in the event. She will be taking on the likes of the hard-hitting Haggin Oaks, Strings, Scooter Babe and No Mo Parking. That event carries a $4,500 purse and has been carded as the third race on the card, while the Staats divisions are scheduled as the seventh and twelfth contests.
After Alimony deserves plenty of respect in the Staats series after having turned in a pair of big performances since arriving from the east coast. Owned by A Piece of the Action LLC and reined and trained by Vallandingham, she finished nicely for second in her local debut and then proved a punctual 3-5 favourite in last week’s tour in a 1:57.
R Journey Together is a three-year-old daughter of Western Ideal who races for the same connections. Like her stablemate, she was a runner-up in her local debut after coming in from Pocono Downs and followed with a trip to the winner’s circle last week as the odds-on choice.
Thats Mara looks to make it two straight in the Lovier and could be part of a big night for A Piece of the Action LLC and Vallandingham.
(With files from Cal Expo)