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Thursday’s (April 7) edition of Racing Roundup features a results story from Cal Expo.

Jam And Jelly toasts her foes at Cal Expo

Sacramento, CA — A class drop was just what the doctor ordered as Jam And Jelly got the dough. A field of nine trotters were featured at Cal Expo on Thursday night, in which Jam And Jelly won for the 29th time in her career.

Coming away in fifth position and seeming to be jammed a bit after 3-16ths of a mile, driver Luke Plano had good reason to make a move after the opening quarter in :30.1. Moving quickly in the second quarter, but having to deal with a stubborn Rompaway Brandon (Tim Maier), Jam And Jelly didn’t clear to the point until a good ways past the 7-16ths pole. Trotting a :28.2 second quarter against a strong headwind, the 7-year-old reached the half-mile juncture, timed in :59.4, and widened the lead to 2-1/2 lengths at the three-quarter marker, timed in 1:29.

Under urging into the lane, there’d be no catching the mare as she’d draw away at mid-stretch, then would coast home while not urged late and while all by herself. Owned by Marlene and Rick Thomas in partnership with trainer George Reider, Jam And Jelly won ($3.20) by 5-3/4 lengths in 1:57.4, equaling a seasonal mark. Rompaway Brandon finished in second and Giles L S Hanover (Lemoyne Svendsen) finished another three-quarters of a length farther back in third.

“It was a real good mile given the wind and all that. She’s in real good shape and off the win, she can hopefully beat the best trotters on the grounds next week,” said Plano, who had a driving triple.

On the nine-race program, Rick Plano, Luke’s father, trained the first four winners on the card.

— Scott Ehrlich