by Mark Ratzky, publicity, Cal-Expo

Sacramento, CA — Playing the role of pocket rocket over the sloppy going, Jam And Jelly returned to her winning ways last week at Cal Expo and in the process pushed her bankroll over $141,000 for trainer George Reider, who co-owns the trotting mare with Rick and Marlene Thomas.

Luke Plano couldn’t have mapped out a better trip, and Jam And Jelly had the right stuff to outfinish favorites Big Baller and Alpine Hawk in the featured trot of the week.

“I lost her for a couple of weeks because of issues with tying up,” Reider explained after the victory. “The weather and racing only every other week doesn’t help, so we’ll both be happy when it turns to spring. When’s she right, she can give this class of horse a really good race, but any of these can win on any given night.”

Speaking of hard-knocking trotters, Little Rooster and Aston Boko also had no problem with the wet going and upped their already impressive seasonal batting averages in impressive fashion on that same program.

Both are razor sharp, as Little Rooster has now posed for pictures following six of his eight trips to the post in 2011, while Aston Boko has clicked in four of his last five appearances after starting his career with just one victory from 15 attempts.

Little Rooster, who is owned by Jason Maier and is trained by his father Tim, actually started his career as a pacer with some 15 wins on his card and a 1:55 mark. He was switched to the trot by Jason when he was unable to purchase a maiden trotter last season and has found a whole new career with the high-stepping crowd.

“I took Little Rooster and started jogging him every day with trotting hopples,” Jason explained when asked about the process. “He took right to it, and after two months of adjusting the shoes, the weights and everything else, he was ready to qualify.”

The 6-year-old son of Little Steven likes to finish his races faster than he starts him, but pilot Rich Wojcio decided to use him for early position in last Thursday’s (Feb. 24) tour and was able to work out a perfect pocket journey to the lane. He attacked the pacesetter at that point and proved a length best for yet another trip to the charmed circle.

As for Aston Boko, he’s really coming along for owner/trainer Marco Rios and has also been guided of late by Wojcio. He found the two hole from a cozy rail slot last week, then came home in his usual solid fashion to seal the deal.

Live racing resumes at Cal Expo on Thursday (March 3) and continues through Saturday (March 5). Post time on Thursday is 5:30 p.m. (PST). Post time on Friday and Saturday is at 6 p.m.