Special Monday card at Cal Expo

Dancin Lance (Always A Virgin), who has two Open wins at the meet; and Major Attribute (Fred And Ginger), who denied him a third two weeks ago in the most recent harness racing clash at the head of the class, square off on Monday (Jan. 2) night’s $8,000 Open Pace at Cal Expo Harness. The special Monday program was Saturday’s card that was postponed due to weather.

There will be 10 races decided under the Watch and Wager LLC banner with first post set for 4:55 p.m.

Major Attribute was the one taking bows following the December 18 Open in what was his first appearance at the meet since coming in from Hoosier Park in Indiana. He is owned by Rpm Stables, is trained by Luke Plano and will have Brad Irvine in the bike.

Sent off at 5-2 in his local debut with Irvine handling the lines, Major Attribute was last of the eight when the field hit the opening quarter. He began to pick up momentum on the final bend, took aim on Dancin Lance in the stretch and nailed that one by a head in the 1:53 1/5 mile over a good track.

Dancin Lance looked to be home free in that contest after opening a long lead at midstretch but was collared right on the money in another solid effort. Lean Smith trains the 6-year-old for Juan Pacheco and Devon Tharps has the assignment.

Dancin Lance accounted for back-to-back Open Paces on Nov. 5 and Dec. 2, was third in a blanket finish in the Dave Goldschmidt at next asking and then just missed in the aforementioned Dec. 18 tour.

Completing the field are A Major Omen for Gerry Longo; Albergo Hanover, Chip Lackey; Hoo Nien with Vod Farris; Bombay Hanover, Luke Plano; Chase The Gold, Devon Tharps and Grab N Go with Elson Miller guiding from the rail slot.

Winding Road brings Elson Miller to California

Elson Miller has taken a rather unique path to Cal Expo, as the 21-year-old driver/trainer explained recently.

“I’ve been buying and selling horses since I was 15 years old,” the Indiana native explained.

“I started out selling Amish horses and got a lot of experience with those, and then I ended up driving racing ponies for two years up in North Indiana.”

Racing ponies?

“It’s pretty much unique to that part of the country. The horses are like 50 to 54 inches, and they have trotters and pacers It was quite a learning experience sitting behind those and then I made my way into regular harness racing.”

Miller got his license last July in Lexington and decided to give a California try after fall rolled around.

“I heard this was a good place to get experience, and of course, the nice weather was another plus,” he said. “So far everything has been great, and the people have been very nice.”

For Monday’s race entries, click here.

by Mark Ratzky, for Cal Expo Harness