Worthy Opponent the strongest of challengers at Cal Expo

Worthy Opponent (Hi Ho Silverheels), who has multiple trophies on his mantle, heads the harness racing cast for Friday night’s (Feb. 17) $20,000 Sire Stakes for the 4-year-old pacing males.

There will be 10 races decided under the Watch and Wager LLC banner and first post is set for 6:45 p.m.

Worthy Opponent is owned by Wayne Knittel and was bred by Wayne and his brother Rod, who passed away last year.

He is trained by Bob Johnson and will have Luke Plano in the sulky while leaving from the No. 3 post in the field of five.

Worthy Opponent comes into this assignment with eight wins from his 16 starts, with several of those scores coming in Sire Stakes company, and a 1:54 3/5 mark that was established here last season.

Taking him on Friday are Roseco P Coletrain with Brad Irvine; JP Jetty, Mel Mullet; Cenalta Hawk with Mooney Svendsen and Mijjekhada Joe, Chip Lackey at the controls.

The co-feature on the evening is an $8,800 Open Trot that has lured the likes of  Rock Party, Pridecrest and Mandeville.

Rock Party accounted for last week’s clash at the head of the trotting class while recording his first win of the meeting.

Divine Art seeks 18^th straight win Sunday

Divine Art (Outrageous Art) will look to win her 18th straight race when she heads the cast for Sunday night’s $20,000 Sire Stakes for the 4-year-old pacing mares.

Divine Art is owned, trained and driven by Gerry Longo. She scored the first 12 victories of the streak in her native Canada and has added five more snapshots since venturing to California and joining Longo’s shedrow.

Divine Art established a new lifetime mark of 1:53 2/5 when she accounted for the DHA Free-for-All two weeks ago. She was hard used first over the stretch that day before drawing away to a three and a quarter lengths score.

Sent off at 1-5 in last week’s Filly and Mare Open, Longo was parked to the lead at the quarter and then had a comfortable trip on the front end to the drive.

She had a length and a half advantage at midstretch and ended up lasting by a head over a hard charging Give Me This Dance while again stopping the timer in a sharp 1:53 2/5.

Give Me This Dance has turned in two strong efforts since arriving from the East and looms large in the Sire Stakes. The Wind Me Up homebred represent Alan and Cheryl Sandbutte, takes her lessons from Jose Castillo and will have Brad Irvine giving directions.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Mark Ratzky, for Cal Expo Harness