Starzznstripes takes on Dancin Lance at Cal Expo

Starzznstripes (Sweet Lou) and Dancin Lance (Always A Virgin), both coming off impressive scores, get the top billing in Friday night’s (Dec. 29) harness racing co-featured Open Paces.

Watch and Wager LLC will conduct a nine-race card with things getting under way at 6:45 p.m.

A reminder this week will see the trotters and pacers in action on Friday and Saturday night, with the Open Trot headlining the Saturday program.

A 4-year-old out of the Cambest mare Four Starzz Melis, Starzznstripes is owned by Gretchen Smith, takes her lesson from Alexia Kehl and will once again have Sean Smithpeters at the controls.

After a needed effort following her arrival from the east, Starzznstripes has rattled off two big miles to get her picture taken, including the most recent Open for the filly and mare pacers.

Sent off at 9-1 in that contest, the dark-hued miss was unhurried early, caught a live cover train on the backside and streaked home when straightened for the drive to prevail by two lengths in a 1:55 tour.
She should get a lot more respect at the windows this time around.

Looking at the Open Pace, Dancin Lance is a 7-year-old who is owned by Juan Pacheco, hails from the Leon Smith barn and will again have Jake Cutting giving directions.

After shipping in from Hoosier Park, Dancin Lance made his first start at the meet in a conditioned event on December 3 and made every pole a winning one to prevail by a length and a half.

He has come back to capture back-to-back Opens while putting his class and versatility on display in those miles.

Dancin Lance, Cutting form great partnership

Jake Cutting had never driven Dancin Lance before this meet began, but they are certainly making some noise at the head of the class.

The Juan Pacheco-owned, Leon Smith-trained 7-year-old pacer started the meet with a conditioned win and has followed with back-to-back Open scores with Cutting doing the honors.

Dancin Lance went coast-to-coast in the first victory, then brushed to the front before the half in the last two scores and has been very impressive holding off all challenges.

“He’s an absolute gentleman to drive,” Cutting noted after their most recent teaming. “He’s gone big miles every time and I’m sure he’d be just as capable if he was coming from off the pace.

“It’s always nice to find an Open horse like this one to drive.”

Jake isn’t just having success with Dancin Lance, as he’s guided 20 of his first 72 drives into the winner’s circle to be showing the way in the standings.

“It’s certainly been a good meet so far,” he noted. “I’ve been driving some awfully nice horses and that really helps.”

by Mark Ratzky, for Cal Expo Harness