by Mark Ratzky, publicity, Cal Expo Harness
Sacramento, CA — The Cal Expo meet concludes Saturday evening (May 5) with Hi Ho’s Little Rev and Ragin’s Flight among the major players in the featured Connie Matlock Memorial Pace.
The headliner will go as the third on a nine-race program presented by Watch and Wager LLC and first post will be 6:40 p.m. This being closing night, there will be mandatory payouts in all wagers.
Hi Ho’s Little Rev is looking to close out the stand with a hat trick for owners Vanessa Gilliam and Audrey Clifton, trainer Bob Johnson and pilot Mooney Svendsen. The 6-year-old son of Hi Ho Silverheel’s set a new lifetime mark of 1:52.2 when he got the job done two weeks ago in a game performance, then made every pole a winning one in his last tour in coast-to-coast fashion as the 3-2 favorite last Friday evening.
Ragin’s Flight should hit hard with this caliber after tackling tougher company of late. He was a 1:52.1 victor as the 2-5 choice back on March 30 and competes for Scott Ehrlich, George McCrystal and Kathie Plested with Plested the conditioner and Steve Wiseman in the sulky.
Completing the field are Fire On The Water from the Steve Nichols barn; Fly Away, who gives the Plested shedrow two looks at the outcome; the Robin Clements-trained Lincoln; and He Grins Again, who takes his lessons from George Reider.
The trotters and pacers are scheduled to return to Cal Expo in the fall and the CCHA and Watch and Wager have agreed to an eight percent purse increase and an enhanced horse incentive program.
Race pays tribute to Connie Matlock
Saturday night’s third race is named in honor of Connie Matlock, a longtime fixture with the California Harness Horse Breeders Association and CHHA who passed away on April 16 at the age of 85.
Connie began working as secretary for the CHHBA in 1994 and was a staunch supporter of the Breeders and Sires Stakes. She then went to work for the CHHA in the early 1990s, again as secretary.
In 2005, Connie was awarded the Presidents Award by the CHHA for her meritorious service to the horsemen and the Sire Stakes program.
“She was loved by many horsemen, who considered her a second mother,” said Robin Clements. “She was warm, caring and a great lady.”
Said Vickie Desomer, “Connie was always there for the horsemen, all of them. Her kindness was boundless. Connie was beautiful inside and out. She has been greatly missed since her illness took her from us.”
Connie and Donald Matlock had five children and she is survived by son, Charlie; daughters, Kim and Cindy; and 10 grandchildren.