by Mark Ratzky, publicity department, Sacramento Harness Association

Sacramento, CA — There was a nose, a neck and a head separating The Pand Illusion, Arcade Hall, Mad River Hanover and Keystone Eli last week, and they’re all back in action at Cal-Expo in Wednesday night’s (April 18) featured $6,900 Open for the pacing set.

The Pand Illusion prevailed as the 2-1 second choice in last week’s clash at this level, getting home a nostril in front of favored Arcade Hall. He in turn was a neck best over Mad River Hanover, who had a head on Keystone Eli for the show spot.

A 5-year-old son of The Panderosa, The Pand Illusion is reined and trained by Rick Plano and owned by his wife Mary Ann. An 11-time winner last season, he has two snapshots to his credit from 13 attempts on the year and sports a 1:52.4 career standard.

After settling for minor awards in his first six trips to the post this season, the dark-hued side-wheeler got some class relief in late February and got the job done over a sloppy track. He also crossed the line first in his try two back at this Open level, but was set back to second for drifting near the wire.

In his most recent tour, The Pand Illusion carved out the fractions until the head of the lane, was joined by Arcade Hall when they straightened for home, but dug in gamely to end up on the right end of the photo in that four-horse blanket finish at the end of the 1:53.2 mile.

Arcade Hall is making his third start since shipping in from The Meadowlands for owner Patricia Waldeck and driver/trainer Bruce Clarke. He was a 1:51.3 victor over that New Jersey oval last season and has been closer to a win with each of his three outings since being claimed in January.

He had a troubled trip in his local debut on March 24 and checked in fourth, was third after adding lasix two weeks ago and setting the pace, then lost a tough one to The Pand Illusion as the chalk last week. He should be rolling early for Clarke and is overdue to take down an event over this track.

Mad River Hanover was only a head back in third last week and he could certainly turn the tables with his best effort for owner/driver/trainer Gilbert Herrera. He clicked in 12 of his 40 starts last season and is eyeing his second victory in his 14th attempt in 2007, while doing the majority of his work at this Open level.

Keystone Eli got the 8-1 upset two weeks ago when the stewards placed him over The Pand Illusion for stretch interference, and he was right there at the line in that crowded finish last week. Bob Johnson conditions the son of Shady Character for Hei Mitchell, with Ed Hensley making a return in the sulky.

Rounding out the cast are the Summersby Stable team of Jordan’s Planet, who will have the services of Tim Maier, and Samovar Hanover, to be handled by Tim Clevenger.

The racing action continues this week with Thursday, Friday and Saturday programs. The Thursday card features the Invitational Trot, and Saturday finds a $22,500 California Sires Stake for the 3-year-old pacing males.

Bal-Cal offers cross-country puzzle

Outside of a fast-food place, finding a value menu for a dollar is pretty tough, but we offer one here at Cal-Expo every Wednesday night in the form of the Bal-Cal Pick 4 Challenge.

The $1 wager combines two races (races 10 and 11) from Balmoral Park in Chicago and two races (races 10 and 11) from Cal-Expo, and comes attached with a $25,000 guaranteed pool. While last week saw a modest return with a logical foursome coming first under the wire, go back one week and there was a healthy $3,300 payoff for each ticket that correctly forecasted the victors.

Last fall saw some jackpots going up on the tote board following the Bal-Cal with returns of $20,000, $19,000 and $18,000 coming back for the $1 investment. What will be the payoff in this week’s renewal of the popular gimmick? Sharpen your pencil and make a statement yourself.

Post time for the first leg of the Bal-Cal Challenge will be at approximately 8:27 p.m. (PDT).

Live racing resumes at Cal-Expo tonight (Wednesday), continuing through Saturday. Post time each night is at 5:35 p.m. (PDT). On Wednesdays, admission is free, plus Cal-Expo offers a complete Lasagna dinner, with salad and bread, for just $2.00.

Cal-Expo now offers guaranteed $10,000 pools on all Pick-4’s!