by Mark Ratzky, publicity, Cal-Expo

Sacramento, CA — Betty Elizabeth, who has eight stakes trophies on her mantle, is preparing for a return to the wars at Cal Expo according to her owner/breeder/trainer Lisa Pilcher.

The 4-year-old trotting daughter of Panama Hanover and the Sacramento mare Eggcellent has rattled off five straight stakes scores dating back to late May, with the most recent being a two length decision in the Dec. 11 championship with Steve Wiseman at the controls.

“Betty had a month in the paddock while I had the Eurociser fixed, then jogged her down at the farm for a month,” related Pilcher when asked about her performer. “She’s now trained down to about 2:15, and weather permitting, she’ll be qualifying in a couple of weeks.”

The bay miss has been a major player in her division from the word go, but really began to dominate last fall. Her modus operandi was a simple one, as she would take a tracking position for three-quarters and then turn it on once straightened for home while picking up nice checks along the way.

Betty Elizabeth gets her name from Lisa’s grandmothers, both of whom were named Elizabeth and were called Betty by family members. Lisa knew from the start she had something special on her hands in this distaffer.

“At three weeks old, she started showing her athletic ability by trotting circles around her peers,” she recalled. “Later as a yearling, she displayed her leadership skills by taking charge of the pasture, just like her mother does by being the leading mare.”

Unlike mom, however, Betty Elizabeth is a cool customer on the racetrack.

“Her dam had a nervous, competitive nature, but this filly has a calm demeanor. She actually makes things easy for me. She has natural gate speed, wears very little equipment, loves her job and enjoys life at the farm.”

Live racing resumes at Cal Expo on Thursday (March 3) and continues through Saturday (March 5). Post time on Thursday is 5:30 p.m. (PST). Post time on Friday and Saturday is at 6 p.m.