Wiseman Memorial elims headline Cal Expo card

Two harness racing eliminations for the Steve Wiseman Memorial Pace get top billing Friday night at Cal Expo, with Sign Of The Times (Special Forces) eyeing his sixth straight win in one division while Gandalf aims for a hat trick in the other.

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

Sign Of The Times has been sensational for owners Rick Bertrand and Ashless Glader, trainer Bertrand and pilot Mooney Svendsen, while Gandalf is coming off two straight coast-to-coast tallies for Judith Roland and driver/trainer Nick Roland.

There are three wagers offered each night with a reduced 16 percent takeout rate – the 20-cent Pick 5 and the 20-cent early and late Pick 4.

There is a $15,000-guaranteed gross pool on the Pick 5 and a $20,000 guaranteed pool on the late Pick 4.The Pick 4 is part of the US Trotting Association Strategic Wagering program and free pp’s for the Pick 5 are available at handicapping.ustrotting.com.

Looking ahead to Saturday night’s program, the Joe Lighthill Trot and the Dave Goldschmidt Pace will be in the spotlight.

All Champy and Lous Lancelot figure to get the majority of the attention in the Lighthill, while Dancin Lance and Alilthundadownunda will have a rematch in the Goldschmidt.

April event to honor Walter Petersen

Cal Expo has named the April 11 DHA Free-for-All Pace in remembrance of Walter Petersen, who passed away last month at the age of 78.

Walter was a California mainstay for decades as both a horseman and a racing official here at Cal Expo.

After graduating from Florida Atlantic University, Walter joined the army and served in Vietnam.

When he returned, he started his career in harness racing as an owner, driver and trainer, competing at tracks in Michigan, Maryland and Florida before settling in California.

Among the talented performers Walter bred, trained and owned were L.A. Dictator, L.A. Mistress and Local Sheriff, but his all-time favorite was a diminutive trotter by the name of Kimmie Girl who had quite a following.

In 2005, Walter took the position of paddock judge here at Cal Expo while his wife Patty served as clerk of the course. He retired in 2022 due to health concerns.

“Wally was a true friend for over 45 years,” said fellow horseman J.R. Williams. “In all that time, I never saw him have a bad day. He always had a smile and a laugh for everyone.”

Said Cal Expo general manager Chris Schick, “Wally was a happy and gregarious guy. You always came away with a laugh and feeling good after talking to him. He loved this business very much.”

by Mark Ratzky, for Cal Expo Harness