Cal Expo stars out for Friday card

An $8,800 Open Trot that rematches Lous Lancelot (Lou’s Legacy) and All Champy (Explosive Matter) and the Jack Williams Prep which brings out Maggie Time and Overthemoonforyou are the main attractions at Cal Expo Friday night.There will be nine races presented under the Watch and Wager LLC banner with first post set for 6:45 p.m.

Lous Lancelot has won two of the three Open Trots at this meet for owner Elliott Gorov, trainer Chip Lackey and pilot Luke Plano.

In last week’s top dance, the 6-year-old was parked to the lead by the quarter, had his speed rationed perfectly by Plano and held safe by three-quarters of a length over All Champy.

The latter is owned by Steve Chambers, hails from the Kathie Plested barn and will once again have Nick Roland at the controls while leaving just inside Lous Lancelot from the No. 6 slot.

All Champy bested that rival with a tracking trip two weeks ago, then was used to the pocket in last week’s clash and could not catch the leader while well clear of the rest of the cast.

Lining up against this pair are Pridecrest with Mooney Svendsen; Valottalove for John MacDonald; Silverhill Volo with Lackey guiding; Dylan The Great with Sean Smithpeters and Serene Hall for Alexia Kehl.

Schneider, Plano showing the way

Luke Plano, the leading pilot at last year’s meet, is currently atop the driver standings with 14 victories, while Mooney Svendsen has made ten trips to the charmed enclosure and Nick Roland has recorded eight scores.

Among the trainers, Quentin Schneider has sent out eight winners, which gives him a two-length margin over Plano and Rick Bertrand through four weeks of action.

A reminder there are three wagers offered here Friday night that come with a reduced 16 percent takeout rate – the 20-cent Pick 5 and the 20-cent early and late Pick 4.

The Pick 5 features a $15,000-guaranteed gross pool, with a $20,000 guarantee on the late Pick 4.

The Pick 4 is part of the US Trotting Association Strategic Wagering program and free pp’s for the Pick 5 are available at USTrotting.com.

by Mark Ratzky, for Cal Expo Harness