Walker Meister has been a steady performer over the last few seasons, making his share of winner’s circle appearances for trainer George Reider, who co-owns the 7-year-old pacer with Dave, Rob and Kim Haness.
A 1:52.2 victor last season at Running Aces, Walker Meister added another W to the resume last weekend over a sloppy track, proving a punctual favourite after making what proved to be the winning move to the lead by the half for James Kennedy.
“I bought Walker Meister three years ago in Minnesota in partnership with Dave, Rob and Kim,” Reider noted.
“It took a little while, and he’s always had some soundness issues, but he’s turned into a nice little racehorse. He enjoys racing and I enjoy racing him. I hope I can find another one like him in Minnesota this year.”
Walker Meister is set to suit up in Saturday evening’s ninth race, where he will depart from the No. 4 post in the field of nine with Kennedy back at the controls.
Marvin Shapiro Final, Distaff Open on tap
Outlawintriguedbyu, a coast-to-coast winner last weekend, gets the top billing in Saturday night’s $8,400 Marvin Shapiro Final for pacing fillies and mares, while Capitol Hill and Brighten Your Life get a rematch in the co-featured Distaff Open Pace.
An 11-race card is scheduled under the Watch and Wager LLC banner with first post at 6:10 p.m. Looking ahead to Saturday, an Open Pace, an Open Trot and a trio of Sire Stakes will be featured.
Outlawintriguedbyu is a five-year-old daughter of Blue Burner who competes for Benvenga Racing LLC and Azarik Sivatjian, is conditioned by Kathie Plested and will once again have Steve Wiseman at the controls.
In last week’s Shapiro Prep, the dark-hued miss was sent off the 5-2 second choice and made every pole a winning one over the sloppy going, reporting to the wire with two lengths over stablemate Chilma.
The latter was the mild favourite in that contest and put in a real nice finish to complete the exacta. This Plested trainee is owned by Larry and Carol Parlin and has Mooney Svendsen once again doing the honours.
Completing the field are Lookslikewemadit, If You Say So, Rockinroundheaven, Hi Fidelity, Cenalta Cougar, Sweet One, and La Diva De Rosa.
In the Filly and Mare Open Pace, Brighten Your Life will look to snap a string of six straight runner-up finishes for owner/driver/trainer Nathan Sobey while Capitol Hill will gun for a repeat at the top rung for trainer Plested and co-owner George McChrystal with Mooney Svendsen guiding.
A reminder there are two wagers offered here each night with a reduced 16 percent takeout rate. They are the 50-cent Pick 5 which is decided on the first five races, and the 20-cent Pick 4.
The Pick 4 which comes with a $30,000-guaranteed gross pool on Fridays and $40,000 on Saturdays.
(Cal Expo)