Sacramento, CA — Track record holder Pridecrest, fresh from a sparkling Open victory last week, heads the cast for Sunday evening’s (April 10) $10,000 Stan Bergstein Trot at Cal Expo while last week’s elimination winners Marlon’s Magic and Impressive Art will do battle in the co-featured $10,000 Distance Derby.

Watch and Wager LLC will present 11 races with first post set for 5:45 p.m.

Pridecrest is a 10-year-old son of Angus Hall who is owned by Chris Schick, takes his lessons from Kathie Plested and will once again have Mooney Svendsen at the controls. He comes into this assignment with 49 wins from his 202 starts and $432,022 in his bank account. His lifetime mark was recorded here five years ago with his track-record 1:53.2 performance.

Sent off the 2-1 second choice in last week’s Open, Svendsen gunned Pridecrest right to the front and he took complete control of the proceedings en route to a three length score in 1:55.

Looking at the Distance Derby, to be decided over a mile and a half, Marlon’s Magic is a 7-year-old son of Betterthanchedder who is owned by Tammy Murschell and takes his lessons from Shanisty Andres. In last week’s first elimination heat, Marlon’s Magic was dispatched as the 6-5 favorite and did not disappoint his many backers. He was parked early to command, covered up for a bit, then retook the top and went on to a three length score.

Impressive Art accounted for the other elim last week and lit up the toteboard at $38.80 in the process for owner Juan Pacheco, trainer Leon Smith and pilot Michael Campbell. He came from next to last to get the job done in his 2:56 score.

Races honor memory of Hanford, Bergstein

Sunday night’s fifth race is named for the popular George Hanford, who passed away last November at age 77; while the Stan Bergstein Trot honors the legendary figure in harness racing who died in 2011 at the age of 87.

George Hanford, described by many as the quintessential racetrack guy, attended Rio Lina High School and at 19 started working for a lumber company. The entire time, however, his heart was with his family business of training and running quarter horses.

Before he was old enough to train at the track, he was riding in match races. He started galloping horses at age 14 and at 22 he took out his trainer’s license.

When George decided to “retire,” he went to work for CARF. In the off season, he worked for Watch and Wager in the vet’s barn.

George made friends wherever he went — from Kentucky to California. He loved being with people and was the life of any party. He also loved to help people, with his special gift repurposing items that he found to give to those who might be in need.

George Hanford was a horseman, to be sure, but also a great employee and an amazing friend. He is missed by all who knew and loved him. He left us way too soon.

— Kate Phariss