by Mark Ratzky, publicity, Cal-Expo

Sacramento, CA — On paper, Dudis Angel looks to be in a sweet position in Saturday’s (Feb. 18) co-featured seventh race at Cal Expo for the trotting set.

The 7-year-old King Conch mare, who sports strong human connections in owner/trainer Bob Johnson and driver Lemoyne “Mooney” Svendsen, and is coming off back-to-back solid second-place finishes, lands the cozy inside slot for good measure.

“She’s improved immensely since moving to Johnson’s barn,” Svendsen related. “When she got here, she was hot and wouldn’t even stand still to get hooked up to the bike. In the race, she refused to sit in the hole and just wouldn’t relax.

“Now she’s calmed down and able to do her best work. You can leave strong with her or take back, and you can basically drive her with two fingers. It’s made all the difference.”

Svendsen also pointed out that in Saturday’s assignment, Dudis Angel gets away from stablemate Franks Best and the hard-hitting veteran Alpine Hawk, the trotters who have stood between her and the winner’s circle in her last two trips to the post.

“It’s also nice, because this way I get to drive both her and Franks Best this week,” Svendsen noted.

Live racing resumes at Cal Expo on Friday (Feb. 17) and Saturday (Feb. 18) at 6 p.m. (PST).