Mandeville, Body Armor look to settle the score at Cal Expo

Mandeville (Majestic Son) and Body Armor, stablemates who have been 1-2 in the first top dances for the trotters, get another chance to settle the score in Friday’s (Dec. 15) harness racing Open Trot while Give Me This Dance (Wind Me Up) eyes her third straight snapshot in the co-featured Filly and Mare Open Pace.

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

Both Mandeville and Body Armor are owned and trained by 78-year-old Gerry Longo and he will guide Body Armor while Mandeville will once again by handled by Luke Plano.

Mandeville is an 11-year-old who is eyeing his 60th win from 243 starts with a 1:54 mark and earnings of $490,000.

He has been extremely impressive in his two Open scores at this stand with Plano at the controls, playing the role of tracker in the first and then brushing to the front by the quarter in the most recent and taking complete control from that point.

Barnmate Body Armor will be looking for some revenge after having to settle for second as the odds-on favorite in those two previous Open clashes.

Looking at the co-feature, last week saw Give Me This Dance Putting her class and versatility on display at the head of the distaff pacing class as she went coast-to-coast as the even money choice.

A 4-year-old, Give Me This Dance is campaigned by Alan and Cheryl Sandbulte with Luke Plano reining and training.

Muffin Top scores for Brodbar, Plested

Muffin Top (Vlos), who has an affinity for finishing her races faster than she starts them, used that to her advantage last weekend to motor by her rivals for a dominating score with Mooney Svendsen in the sulky.

The 5-year-old is owned by Eileen Brodbar in partnerhip with trainer Kathie Plested and is back in action in Friday’s opener from the cozy rail slot.

“We bought her at the end of the Running Aces meet last year,” Brodbar noted. “Kathie told me she wasn’t really minding her manners when she first got her, but she’s done a tremendous job turning her around.

“Kathie is just all about the horses and it’s been great to see the way this mare has improved for her.”

Eileen reports that Afinetouchofclass had her first foal drop this year and that the popular performer Capitol Hill is in foal to Proof.

“Capitol Hill is 12 now and the decision was made not to take her to Minnesota,” she related. “I’m really looking forward to the babies from both these mares.”

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

by Mark Ratzky, for Cal Expo Harness