by Mark Ratzky, publicity, Cal Expo Harness

Sacramento, CA — El Azteca made a successful return to the races last weekend, capturing the Cal Expo Open Trot for his owner/breeder/trainer Marco Rios with James Kennedy at the helm, but there’s more to the story.

The 5-year-old trotting son of Panama Hanover hadn’t seen evening action since June 5, when he won a conditioned affair at Hoosier Park as the 4-5 choice while lowering his lifetime mark to 1:54.3 in the process.

“He came out of the race with an injury and the vet told me there was only about a 20 percent chance he would make it back to the races,” Rios related. “Three months later, when he checked him out again, he was very surprised and told me it was about 95 percent that everything would be fine.”

El Azteca is the pride and joy of the Rios barn, with several Sire Stakes trophies on his mantle and earnings approaching the $120,000 mark. From his last 24 starts, 14 have ended up with smiles all around in the winner’s circle.

“I gave him a qualifier at Hoosier (Sept. 24) before we left,” Rios explained. “Then I trained him pretty hard when we got here, which is why I didn’t put him in another qualifier. One thing about this horse, he always gives you 100 percent.”

Kennedy was guiding El Azteca for the first time from the outside slot in last week’s gathering for the top trotters on the grounds and ignited when it counted in the stretch to hang a head decision on another local favorite in Franks Best.

“James told me he drives just like a Cadillac,” Rios said. His mentor added that plans call for El Azteca to stay here through the meet, meaning fans and his Open Trot foes alike figure to see quite a bit of this determined performer.

El Azteca heads the cast for Saturday night’s featured $5,000 Open II Trot at Cal Expo. A 15-race card is on tap with a first post of 5:40 p.m.

Racing will be conducted Saturday this week, expanding to Saturday and Sunday programs beginning next week. Plans then call for a three-night-a-week schedule starting on Dec. 26 with Friday racing added to the mix.