Sacramento, CA — With her 2:57.2 final clocking in winning last weekend’s 1-1/2 mile Joe Lighthill Trot, Silverlode has established a new North American record for the distance on a mile track.

The 10-year-old California-bred British Sterling mare, who is owned by Medinah Racing and Kathie Plested, is trained by Plested and was handled by Steve Wiseman, captured the Lighthill by 3-1/4 lengths in a sensational performance.

Silverlode, who has a slew of Sire Stakes trophies on her mantle, pushed her career bank account to $237,000 with the victory and has a 1:54.3 mark for a mile that was established last year over the Running Aces oval.

For the record, the previous standard for a 1-1/2 mile victory on a mile layout of 2:57.3 was jointly held by three trotters — Meadow Road (1985), Victor’s Pursuit (2006) and Rev It Now (2012).

In addition to the record-breaking score by Silverlode, the Plested shedrow also sent out the winner of the Open Pace last Saturday night as King Of The Crop flew home to get the nod over Pancetta in a 1:52.4 performance.

Another Cal-bred, King Of The Crop carries the banner of Don and Barbara Arnstine, Steve Chambers and Plested and was also excellently handled by Wiseman. It was the third tally at the head of the class from the last five trips to the post for this 8-year-old son of Little Steven.

Speaking of Little Steven offspring, a tip of the cap to Rick Cisco’s 14-year-old pacing mare Blue Note, who has now won three of her last seven starts with Nate Sobey, James Kennedy and most recently Luke Plano doing the honors while pushing her earnings over the $150,000 plateau.

Stablemates Pancetta, Bettor Lady in spotlight

A pair of Open Paces head the action Friday night at Cal Expo, and barnmates Bettor Lady and Pancetta loom large in their respective events for owners Richard Morita and David Yamada and trainer Lino Pacheco. A 12-race card is on tap under the Watch and Wager LLC banner with first post at 6:10 p.m. and there will also be a trio of California Sire Stakes for the 4-year-olds going as non-betting events prior to the regular program.

Bettor Lady is coming off back-to-back 6-1 upset scores, the most recent coming in last week’s Filly and Mare Open. In that contest, James Kennedy was able to work out a pocket trip with the daughter of Bettor’s Delight. She responded when the question was asked and was up by a nose.

Meanwhile, Pancetta just missed to favored King Of The Crop in last week’s Open Pace and will not have that rival to deal with this time around. The 10-year-old son of No Pan Intended will once again have Dean Magee doing the honors.

Bettor In The Bank rattled off four straight wins between Jan. 25 and Feb. 15, including two Open Pace scores, before checking in a close third in the most recent clash at the head of the class and deserves plenty of respect.

The long-fused 9-year-old goes about his business for Debra McCarthy with Gordie Graham training and James Kennedy in the sulky. He is looking to add to a $221,000 bank account with a 1:51.3 standard that was established over this layout.

Icy Blue Scooter has gone some outstanding miles at this meet while racing at the highest level and helps make things very interesting from the outside post for driver/trainer Nate Sobey, who co-owns the son of Blue Burner with Diane Bertrand and Robert Gilhespy.