by Mark Ratzky, publicity, Cal Expo Harness

Sacramento, CA — High Bet Hanover figures to have her share of backers in Sunday’s (Nov. 2) filly and mare main event at Cal Expo as she goes postward for the productive team of owner KC Carvalho, trainer Tim Brown and pilot Luke Plano.

The 6-year-old Bettor’s Delight mare captured the finale of the Annette Funicello Series two starts back while lowering her lifetime mark to 1:53.4 in the process, then finished gamely to be second while taking on males in last week’s assignment.

“We bought her privately last year to fill a spot we needed with our Minnesota barn,” Brown related. “She had a good meet, but then she started hitting herself and there were some shoeing issues that had to be worked out.”

High Bet Hanover lost tough decisions in the first two legs of the Funicello, but got the job done in the finale while changing tactics to ride a second-over journey to the stretch.

“Luke used to have her, so he knows her real well and drives her great,” Brown said. “I actually think she’s better when she can sit near the pace, but she got a perfect trip in the final and it all worked out.”

Sunday’s headliner is a chance for High Bet Hanover to renew acquaintances with Wild Wild About Eagle, who hung a nose decision on her earlier in the meet before completing the exacta behind her in the Funicello finale.

Brown and Carvalho have formed one of the more lucrative owner/trainer relationships on the Cal Expo backside in recent memory.

“I’ve trained for him for three years now, and he’s more like a brother to me than an owner. He’s very much involved in everything to do with the horses.”

Racing is now being conducted here under the Watch and Wager LLC banner on Saturday and Sunday nights with a first post of 4:45 p.m. (PST) on Sundays. Plans call for an expansion to a three-night-a-week schedule on Dec. 26 with Friday action being added to the mix.