An $8,000 Open Pace featuring A Major Omen and a $7,500 Filly and Mare Open Pace headed by stablemates Lucky Lil Lady and Prom Queen get the marqee treatment on Friday night at Cal Expo.
Eight races are on tap under the Watch and Wager LLC banner with first post set for 6:45 p.m.
A Major Omen has been assigned the outside post in the Open Pace with owner/trainer Gerry Longo at the controls. The seven-year-old son of Art Major comes into this assignment having posed for pictures following 39 of his 145 lifetime trips to the post with more than $411,000 in his bank account and a 1:49.2 career standard that was established three years ago at the Meadowlands.
He will be joined in the cast by barnmate Hoo Nien with Mooney Svendsen guiding, Northbrook Ron and driver Luke Plano, Alilthundadownunda for trainer/driver Nick Roland, Itsonlyrocknroll in rein to Winter Asher-Stalbaum and Mystery Dragon with Jake Cutting at the controls.
In last week’s Distaff Open, Lucky Lil Lady and Prom Queen finished one-two for owner Robin Clements and trainer Quentin Schneider. Jesse Pacheco and James Kennedy will once again handle the pair, respectively.
Lucky Lil Lady showed the way early in that mile, gave up command past the half to her stablemate and then gamely re-rallied to get the job done by a head in 1:55.4 that evening in a strong mile for both performers.
Rounding out the field are Give Me This Dance, Crazy Cutie, Eyes Dont Lie and Divine Art.
Clements charges pull off a clean sweep
Last week’s Filly and Mare Open Pace proved to be a good one for owner Robin Clements, with Lucky Lil Lady and Prom Queen giving her a one-two finish.
Both distaffers take their lessons from Quentin Schneider with Jesse Pacheco guiding Lucky Lil Lady while James Kennedy was in the bike behind Prom Queen.
“I purchased Lucky Lil Lady from Indiana last year because she wasn’t Indiana staked and I was hoping there was a possible Open in her future here at Cal Expo,” related Clements.
“Lily had been racing really well at Running Aces and when the meet was over, she wouldn’t be shipping for a few more weeks and I had her turned out at Harlan Nolt’s place in Wisconsin. She had a good turn out and shipped here extremely fresh.
“Both 'Lily' and Prom Queen qualified really well and when Jake Cutting took another mare in the race, Quentin and I wanted a driver who would listen and decided on Jesse Pacheco.
“Jesse did a great job and when Prom Queen pulled before the half, that worried me a bit, especially when both girls started to open up in a :27.1 third quarter. 'Lily' showed her class by digging in for the win.
“Needless to say, I was extremely happy with them finishing one-two in the race.”
Clements made sure to credit what she has tabbed Team QKS -- Kim and Quentin Schneider, Aaron Lehman and Ed Snider -- for their excellent work with these two mares.
(Cal Expo)