Starzznstripes and Dancin Lance, both coming off impressive scores, get the top billing in Friday night’s co-featured Open Paces at Cal Expo.
Watch and Wager LLC will conduct a nine-race card with things getting under way at 6:45 p.m.
This week will feature the trotters and pacers in action on Friday, Dec. 29 and Saturday, Dec. 30, with the Open Trot headlining the Saturday program.
A four-year-old daughter of Sweet Lou out of the Cambest mare Four Starzz Meliss, Starzznstripes is owned by Gretchen Smith, takes her lesson from Alexia Kehl and will once again have Sean Smithpeters at the controls.
After a needed effort following her arrival from the east, Starzznstripes has rattled off two big miles to get her picture taken, including the most recent Open for the filly and mare pacers.
Sent off at 9-1 in that contest, the dark-hued miss was unhurried early before catching cover on the backside and streaked home when straightened for the drive to prevail by two lengths in a 1:55 tour.
Looking at the Open Pace, Dancin Lance is a seven-year-old son of Always A Virgin who is owned by Juan Pacheco, hails from the Leon Smith barn and will again have Jake Cutting giving directions.
Cutting had never driven Dancin Lance before this meet began, but they are certainly making some noise at the head of the class, reeling off back-to-back victories in the top condition.
Dancin Lance went coast-to-coast in the first victory, then brushed to the front before the half in the last two scores and has been very impressive holding off all challenges.
“He’s an absolute gentleman to drive,” Cutting noted after their most recent teaming. “He’s gone big miles every time and I’m sure he’d be just as capable if he was coming from off the pace.
“It’s always nice to find an Open horse like this one to drive.”
Cutting isn’t just having success with Dancin Lance, as he’s guided 20 of his first 72 drives into the winner’s circle to be showing the way in the standings.
“It’s certainly been a good meet so far,” he noted. “I’ve been driving some awfully nice horses and that really helps.”
(Cal Expo)