Capitol Hill and Virgin Eyes, two hard-knocking performers, get top billing in Saturday night’s $5,400 filly and mare pacing feature.
Watch and Wager LLC will present 10 races with first post set for 6:10 p.m.
Capitol Hill is a nine-year-old daughter of Badlands Hanover who goes about her business for George McChrystal and Kathie Plested with Steve Wiseman training and Jacob Cutting in the sulky.
A lifetime winner of $143,000 with 25 wins from her 164 starts and a 1:53.2 mark that was set here three years ago, Capitol Hill is coming off a solid runner-up finish where she ignited late but was unable to catch upsetter Surprisingly Sweet under these conditions.
Virgin Eyes has been doing all her work in the Open ranks and should appreciate the class relief in the headliner. Her most recent trip to the charmed enclosure came on February 29 at the top level.
The Always A Virgin mare carries the banner of Aleksandra Karl, is conditioned by Robert Corbin and will once again be guided by Dean Magee while departing from the No. 5 slot in the cast of six.
Rounding out the field are Along Came Jane, Relentless Dancer, Brians Magic Girl and Place At The Beach.
Heza Real Diamond continues to shine
Heza Real Diamond recorded his fourth straight victory at the head of the class last weekend, with all of those victories coming from the demanding No. 10 post position.
The four-year-old son of Allamerican Native, who is owned by Orlando Nevarez and conditioned by Edwin Quevedo, has been sensational with Nick Roland giving directions with all of those victories coming in handy fashion.
In last week’s score, he was parked to the lead by the quarter, took complete control of things from that point and came to the line with two and three-quarter lengths to spare. His 1:51.1 clocking in his previous tally equaled his lifetime standard.
There are two wagers offered here each night that come with a reduced 16 percent takeout rate -- the 20-cent Pick 5 and the 20-cent Pick 4.
The Pick 5 starts with the opening race, while the Pick 4 is decided over the final four races on Saturday’s program.
The Pick 4 features a $40,000-guaranteed gross pool on Saturday and a $30,000 guarantee on Friday.
To give an example of the value added with the lower takeout, last Friday night’s Pick 4 returned $988 for each correct 20-cent investment. That would have been $895 using the regular rate, a difference of $93 for each winning ticket.
(Cal Expo)