Mares to battle in Bill Vallandingham Memorial

Nebble Hanover (Well Said) and Prom Queen (Little Steven), both dominating winners in their two starts at the Cal Expo harness racing meet, figure to get most of the attention on Sunday (Dec. 4) evening’s $20,000 Bill Vallandingham Memorial for pacing fillies and mares.

The Vallandingham headlines a 10-card presented by Watch and Wager LLC and there will also be an Open Trot that brings out Silverhill Volo, Pridecrest and Mandeville. First post is set for 4:55 p.m.

Nebble Hanover has taken Cal Expo by storm since arriving from Ohio for owner/trainer/driver Chip Lackey, including a romping score at 1-9 in her elimination last week.

A 4-year-old mare, she captured the Filly and Mare Open in her first appearance, then looked every bit the overwhelming favorite when she was parked to the lead at the quarter and went on to a seven and one-half length romp for Lackey.

Prom Queen looms the main rival as she also comes into the feature with back-to-back wins to start the meet. The dark-hued mare goes about her business for owner Robin Clements, trainer Quentin Schneider and will once again have the services of Mel Mullet.

She accounted for a Distaff Open II contest at 20-1 on opening week, then was the 7-5 chalk in her elimination last weekend and came storming from double digits off the pace to prevail by a length and three-quarters.

Completing the field are Muffin Top, Sweet Young Thing, Kiss On The Lips, Johnny’s Gal Jane, Blue Star Mystic, Dilly Dilly Time, Uniquerock and Alwaysalittlemore.

Doug Stout makes overdue trip to California

One of the new faces on the scene this season is Doug Stout, who has come down from his native Canada with a dozen performers.

“I’ve been thinking about it for some time, mostly because of the weather,” the 73-year-old conditioner noted. “My son Derek finally convinced me to try it and here we are. The other day I called home, and it was 25 below, so I certainly don’t miss that.

“As far as the track goes, I like it and the horses like it. I wish I had done this year ago.”

Doug explained that he was around horses as a child and when he was 16, he decided harness racing was going to be his future, first in his native Saskatchewan and then in Alberta.

“One of my favorites would have to be Moon Maid, who was the first mare to win the Stewart Fraser at Northlands Park back in the late 60’s,” Stout said. “I also had a real nice mare in the 70’s named Neelys Hot Spot and a pretty special colt named Neelys Ten Spot.”

Stout, who plans to stay through most of the meet, explained that the best formula for his barn has been to own half the horses himself and have the other half with different owners. It’s certainly served him well over the last six decades.

A reminder there are three wagers offered here each night that come with a reduced 16 percent takeout rate – the 20-cent early and late Pick 5 and the 20-cent Pick 4, with the latter featuring a $25,000-guaranteed gross pool.

For complete Sunday race entries, click here.

by Mark Ratzky, for Cal Expo Harness