A Major Omen gets top billing in this Friday night’s $12,500 USD Lloyd Arnold Free-For-All Pace at Cal Expo.
Watch and Wager LLC will present 10 races on Friday with first post at 6:45 p.m. and a $7,700 USD Open Trot headed by Jack Rabbit Slims will be the co-feature on the evening in the opener.
A Major Omen comes into the Arnold having posed for pictures following four of his last six trips to the post for his owner/driver/trainer Gerry Longo. Sent off the even-money choice in last week’s clash at the Open level, he lost his best chance when he had some traffic issues in the lane and was beaten only a neck for the whole thing in another strong tour, finishing fourth. The eight-year-old son of Art Major is the 3-1 morning line favourite and will leave from post seven as he goes up against eight others.
Reagan Blue Chip is going in razor-sharp after just missing to A Major Omen in a game first-over effort two weeks ago and then igniting late in last week’s top dance to get the job done in a blanket finish in 1:52.2 for driver Nick Roland. A seven-year-old son of American Ideal, Reagan Blue Chip is owned by trainer Nathalie Tremblay and Dave Kuri. He will be guided by Chip Lackey this time out. Drawing the outside slot, he has been assessed as a 12-1 longshot in Friday's contest.
Rounding out the field, from the inside out, are Heavens Gona Rock, Allmyxsliventexas, Kamara, Officer Jim, Handsome Harvey, Unfiltered and Bombay Hanover.
(With files from Cal Expo)