by Mark Ratzky, publicity, Cal-Expo

Sacramento, CA — After a seven-week, five-day hiatus, harness racing returns to Cal-Expo on Friday night (Sept. 25).

Director of Racing Dave Elliott reports that 230 horses were stabled here during the break, sharing the backside with Thoroughbreds, Mules, Quarter-horses and Arabians, and all got along well with no incidents. Trotters and pacers used the back track to keep legged up for eventual qualifiers that were held last Saturday (Sept. 19) and on Monday (Sept. 21).

“The main track opened up on Saturday, Sept. 12, just five days after the Fair meet closed and horses were able to train on the track that day,” Elliott related. “The Cal-Expo track crew did an outstanding job of preparing the track and removing the inside rail in just five days.”

The purse incentive program has paid about $48,000 in purses at $250 per qualifying horse, while all horses starting here from Sept. 25 through Oct. 31 will receive $100 per start in starter incentives.

There will also be a 30-day rule, which mandates that horses qualify if they haven’t raced in 30 days.

“This is to give the players an idea of what kind of shape the horses are in after their break,” explained Elliott. “We feel it is vitally important that the handicappers have this information to wager confidently on our program.”

Harness handicapping off the vacation

The trotters and pacers in action this weekend have been away from the wars for two months, making the handicapping process a bit more complicated. In hopes of getting a line on how these performers might fare with the break in the schedule, we went to Gregg Pistochini, who handles Cal-Expo’s television handicapping duties.

“I would look for horses who cut the mile and won or who show a fast last quarter in their qualifier,” Gregg related. “The track is slow due to the recent Fair meet, where there was a changing of surfaces, so I would recommend speed horses for the first few weeks until we see how the track is going to play.

“I also think horses who have been training outside of Cal-Expo will have a tremendous advantage. The problem is, the public has no way of knowing this, but I will try to point these horses out in the pre-race previews.

“Farm horses and those who are at private facilities will do better. Cal-Expo has a small oval in the back lot, which is smaller than a high school track, where the horses have been jogging. Obviously no one has been training anything down to real speed on that track, so those horses will need two to three starts before they’re ready for a competitive mile.”

Saturday’s feature is the Jim Grundy Memorial Trot, which honors the California Hall of Fame horseman who passed away last month, and there will be a trackside ceremony. The Trot will bring out Cherry Tree Luke, Final Choice, Girlie Tough, Hitchiker, I Look Special, Jam And Jelly and TV Mom.

While racing is conducted on Friday and Saturday nights this week, next week will find a return to the regular Thursday-Saturday evening schedule. Post time on Friday (Sept. 25) is at 5:55 p.m. (PDT). Post time on Saturday (Sept. 26) is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.