Wavzeka aims for three straight in Cal Expo Open

Wavzeka (Art’s Chip), who has turned in two sparkling efforts at this harness racing meet, looks to keep the momentum going as she heads the cast for Saturday night’s featured $8,000 Filly and Mare Open Pace at Cal Expo.

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

Wavzeka is a 4-year-old who is owned by Maria Ramirez, hails from the Ariel Alvarez barn and will once again have Sean Smithpeters giving directions.

After coming in from Minnesota and turning in a sizzling 1:54 3/5 qualifier on December 7, Wavzeka has left little doubt in her two appearances to begin this meeting.

She took a conditioned field coast-to-coast on opening week over a good track, then stepped up to this Open level for last week’s assignment and did an encore while well within herself at the wire.

Wavzeka did her work from the No. 4 post in a field of 10 last week and will now depart from the assigned outside post in a field of seven for Saturday’s main event.

Apple Juice completed the exacta behind Wavzeka in last week’s top dance for the distaffers and has every right to make a move forward as it was her first start since September 21 at Running Aces.

Completing the field and leaving inside Wavzeka and Apple Juice are Graceful Horizon, Starzznstripes, Divine Art, Ain;t She Special and Crazy Cute.

Haness has high hopes for Maggie Time

After finishing third as the heavy favorite here on opening week, the 3-year-old pacing filly Maggie Time (Lost in Time) roared back last week with a powerful score in the Funicello/Holt Final to stamp herself as a force to be reckoned with at this meet.

The miss carries the banner of Dave Haness and Luke Plano with Luke doing the driving and training. She made what turned out to be the winning move by the half and took complete control of things from there.

“We purchased here in June when she was racing against some very talented fillies in Indiana at Hoosier Park,” Haness related after last week’s impressive score.

“Luke and I are always looking for horses we think will fit well at Cal Expo and Maggie looked the part. She is a versatile and a well-gaited filly.”

Dave is looking forward to seeing just how much Maggie Time can accomplish during the course of this meet and then going into the spring and summer.

“She’s still learning and has a chance to be a real nice horse for us going forward,” Haness added.

by Mark Ratzky, for Cal Expo Harness