Cal Expo Trot lures solid cast

An Open Trot featuring Dylan The Great, All Champy and Lous Lancelot gets the marquee harness racing treatment Friday night at Cal Expo.

Watch and Wager LLC will present nine races with first post set for 6:45 p.m.

Dylan The Great is a 9-year-old son of Break The Bank K who is owned by David Dobblemann and takes his lessons from Alexia Kehl.

He picked up his second victory of the year in last week’s Open Trot, as he was reserved early, made a sweeping move on the second turn and went on to an easy decision in a very strong mile with Sean Smithpeters at the helm.

All Champy has gone a number of big races at this meet and should have a major say in the outcome after missing last week’s top dance for the sidewheelers.

He had a brutal trip in the Open two weeks ago and will be looking for some revenge for owner Steve Chambers, trainer Kathie Plested and pilot Nick Roland.

Lous Lancelot has a pair of Open victories to his credit this season and lost all chance last week when he made an early miscue. Elliot Gorov owns, Chip Lackey is the conditioner and Luke Plano has the assignment.

Looking ahead to Saturday night, the Open Pace will command the spotlight with Its Pointless, Sign Of The Times and Alilthundadownunda heading that cast

Yerderntootin displays some promise

Yerderntootin certainly had an eventful journey in last week’s first Sire Stakes for the 3-year-old pacing males, finishing second as a 27-1 shot behind favored The Minnesota Kid.

Yerderntootin is a homebred son of Proof who goes about his business for Wayne Knittel and trainer Bob Johnson and was handled in last week’s assignment by Chip Lackey.

Despite making an early miscue and spotting the field nearly double digits at the quarter and then suffering interference from a breaking rival into the lane, Yerderntootin ignited late to complete the exacta in a solid second lifetime trip to the post.

“He’s still very green,” Johnson related about the gelding, who is out of the Artsplace mare Aftermath. “He seems like he has talent, he just needs to figure a few things out and he’ll come around.”

The next Sire Stakes for this group is in two weeks, giving the Knittel colorbearer a bit more time to fully get his act together.

“I’ll race him in some overnights to get him some more experience before the next stakes race,” Johnon said.

In the meantime, The Minnesota Kid is the leader of the division after going coast-to-coast in the first big money dance for this group. Stephanie Ann Longo owns, Jose Castillo trains and Luke Plano did the honors last week

For complete race entries, click here: US Trotting entries.

by Mark Ratzky, for Cal Expo Harness