A pair of $6,600 Open Handicaps headline the Saturday night program at Cal Expo. Flameon has received top billing in the trotting event and Just Bettor looms a major player in the pacing contest.
A 14-race card is on tap under the Watch and Wager LLC banner. First post is set for 6:10 p.m. There will two more weeks of Saturday-only racing at Cal Expo, as the schedule will expand to Friday and Saturday cards effective November 11.
Flameon has been assigned the outside post in the field of seven for the Open Trot. He heads into the race having captured nine of his 17 starts this season. He is owned by Mark Anderson, hails from the Gordie Graham barn, and will have Chip Lackey at the controls.
The six-year-old son of Angus Hall set his career mark of 1:55 3/5 over this track last season and spent the past summer at Running Aces in Minnesota, where he did his work successfully at the head of the class. He posted a nice qualifying victory last weekend with Lackey guiding.
Just Bettor is a six-year-old son of Bettors Delight who campaigns for A Piece of the Action LLC. Gene Vallandingham is the trainer and Mooney Svendsen will be handling the lines.
The gelding has won 21 of 122 lifetime appearances with $266,000 in his account and a mark of 1:50.3 that was taken over Dover Downs two years ago. He posted a sharp 1:54.3 win over conditioned company last week and will be facing tougher foes this time and will start from the outside slot.
Saturday’s action will include a simulcast of the complete Breeders Crown program from The Meadowlands.
(With files from Cal Expo)