by Mark Ratzky, publicity, Cal-Expo

Sacramento, CA — Gene Vallandingham has his fingers crossed that a fast track is in play at Cal Expo this Saturday night (Jan. 15), as his veteran pacer Blissfull Winds goes for two in a row from the cozy one-hole.

Michael Silber’s color-bearer began December with a win and a solid runner-up finish, but caught sloppy tracks in his next pair and was well beaten on both occasions. Back on firm footing for last week’s assignment, Blissfull Winds proved a punctual 6-5 favorite with a second-over journey.

“Needless to say, he wants a fast track,” Vallandingham related. “He wasn’t able to handle those sloppy tracks at all, but he got what he wants last time and gave me a real good finish.”

Vallandingham is also happy to have the inside slot this weekend.

“This is basically a horse who has one move, and when you have the one-hole, that usually means one less move you have to make.”

This is the second go-around for Vallandingham and the 8-year-old Blissfull Winds. He trained this guy for half a year before losing him via the claim box last fall, then reached in a month later to take him back. When the weather is dry, it’s worked out nicely.

For the record, the snapshot with Blissfull Winds was number 2,895 for the 70-year-old Vallandingham, whose red, white and blue colors have been a mainstay in California driver’s rooms for over four decades.

Live racing resumes at Cal Expo on Thursday (Jan. 13) and continues through Saturday (Jan. 15). Post time on Thursday is 5:30 p.m. (PST). Post time on Friday and Saturday is at 6 p.m.