1^st race

#1 LA MADAWNA DE ROSA

Her 22 lifetime scores is tops in the field and she’s been knocking on the door in her last trio, including that runner-up finish last week where she beat a pair of tonight’s rivals.

#2 MAPUA MAGIC TEN

Exits that much tougher Jack Williams Final where she was parked to the lead and stopped. Should appreciate the class relief tonight in what looms an open contest.

#3 LITTLE EMMA

Attempted to ride the cover train in that last one but couldn’t quite keep up, eventually settling for a minor award behind tonight’s rail foe. Best mile puts her in the picture.

#4 ODDS ON MARIA

Has a snapshot at the meet, prevailing four back at this same level with Roland guiding. Did her work in first-over fashion in that last try and did well to gain the show money.

#5 FUTURE DELIGHT

Moved down the ladder to this league for the most recent, got support at the windows and faded after showing the way early. Trainer takes over driving duties and price will drift.

#6 MAY DAY MAGGIE

Roland reined-and-trained mare had her work cut out in the Jack Williams over the last two weeks and is definitely getting a softer assignment for this go-around. Must consider.

#7 WIZZEL STIX

Lost heartbreaker at even-money two back, then was favored again last week and had to settle for the show after riding live cover to the drive. Attempts apology at nicer odds.

#8 DARK HORSE WINE

Luke’s choice has had to be happy with minor awards in the last pair after getting good trips to the lane from the inside. Outside draw isn’t going to make things any easier.

Race 2

#1 HE GRINS AGAIN

Took a softer group all the way two back when able to get away some moderate fractions, then had a good trip last week had to do settle for a decent show finish. Has work cut out.

#2 RIDONKULOSO

He’s going in razor-sharp form for Luke right now with back-to-back wins, including an upset over Allmyx’sliventexas two weeks ago. Asked a tough question with this group.

#3 ALLMYX’SLIVENTEXAS

That was the real Knittel colorbearer we saw last week as he made two moves to the lead at the half and took complete control in a 1:52 sizzler. Drawn inside his main rivals here.

#4 FREWIL DAKOTA SVEN

Has fired plenty of bullets at this meet, coming away with two wins and two 2^nd-place finishes. Bid three wide to lane last week and was unable to hold off Its Pointless.

#5 THIISHOWWEDOIT

Did all the heavy lifting last week while facing three of his rivals in here and weakened in the late stages. His score at the meet came vs. easier and a minor placing seems likely.

#6 ITS POINTLESS

Has won 15 of his 24 starts, including last week when he exploded in the stretch for a new mark. Eyeing revenge after just missing to outside neighbor in the Goldschmidt.  

#7 A MAJOR OMEN

Has won all three of his outings since coming in from Kentucky, including the Goldschmidt and giving Longo his 3,000^th snapshot in the Jan. 1 Open. Tough as nails.

Race 3

#1 COOKIESNCREAM

Broke at the start two back, then was no factor behind tonight’s foe Sierra Mystique last time. Re-united with Roland, who got the show with her when they last joined forces.

#2 JENNA WATCH

Forced the issue to the drive last week and stopped in that race at this level won by tonight’s rival Sierra Mystique. Can’t see her turning the tables here.

#3 TARTAN PATCH

Back-to-back wins before venturing into the Funicello and Williams events, earning shares in each of the finals. Will appreciate class relief and one of two major players.

#4 UNIQUEROCK

Like foe to inside, she also exits the Funicello and Williams events and finished behind that rival in both of the finals. Seems more likely for one of the undercard positions.

#5 RAIDER ROSE

Will be making first appearance since the beginning of August in Minnesota. Had a decent tightener in that rapid qualifier last week and will likely need one before best.

#6 SIERRA MYSTIQUE

Put it all together under these conditions last week, riding cover to the stretch and then igniting for the score and a new lifetime mark. Obvious threat right back with Mooney.

Race 4

#1 BOASTER COASTER

Got away from the Big 3 for last week’s outing and justified the favoritism with the perfect stalk-and-pounce for Kennedy. Different story tonight as he’s back in the Open.

#2 HYPOCRISY

Minor prizes when getting away from the top trio in the division and no factor when taking them on, which is the case tonight. Hard to see him posting an upset.

 #3 MANDEVILLE

Looking to turn the tables on the two big guns, just missing to Silverhill two back.  He’s gone some big miles here and Longo should once again have him in stalking mode

#4 PRIDECREST

Track record holder was very game taking the Goldschmidt two back, then stalked Silverhill Volo in last and could not quite get to that arch-rival. Drawn inside him now.

#5 SILVERHILL VOLO

After a tough beat in the Lighthill as the pace-setter, he’s come back with two sharp scores. Lackey used his speed to perfect advantage last time to hold over Pridecrest.

Race 5

#1 DOUBLEONTHEROCKS

Lone mare in the cast has been on the bench since mid-September at Running Aces. Sports a pair of decent qualifiers and we’ll probably see her best work down the road.

#2 BELIEVE IN DRAGONS

First of 5 in her exiting last week’s race at this level won by the streaking Chase The Gold. Had traffic issues and still managed to beat 3 of these home in that contest.

#3 PROMISING FLIGHT

Came into last week’s assignments off two sharp tries, bid first over on the final bend and gave way when push came to shove. Top effort would put him in the thick of things.

#4 NIGHT DELIGHT

Used early from the rail for a good spot and stopped in the stretch while finishing behind four of tonight’s foes. Would appear to be the least likely in the cast.

#5 BEACH BUM BOB

Roland reined-and-trainer performer hasn’t seen action since early September in Minnesota. Looked to be in need of that qualifier that was won by double digits.

#6 MIBWEST KID

Been pounding on the door with runner-up finishes in three of his last four outings. Went a solid mile to complete the exacta behind Chase The Gold last week and looms large.

#7 CENELTA FIREDRAGON

Finally put it all together last week as he was reserved to the half, looped the field into the drive and came home smartly to seal the deal. No surprise to see him do an encore.

#8 DEVILS BROTHER

Made a break on the final bend last week and that was that. In pretty sharp form going into that outing with a pair of scores over slightly softer in December. Question mark. 

Race 6

#1 JENNIE ANN

Started meet with a sharp score, but hasn’t been able to duplicate the effort. Facing a softer group for this go-around and looking to race back to that December 10 tally.

#2 SENSELESS BEAUTY

Gamely prevailed over easier company two back, then sat a good trip behind tonight’s pace-setting rival More More More last week and had no rally. Needs to dig deeper.

#3 ROYAL MISTRESS

Recorded back-to-back victories to kick off the meeting and has been facing the best distaffers on the grounds in her last two efforts. Making her one to beat with this group.

#4 PROM QUEEN

Rallied smartly to get her picture taken here in late November and has been knocking heads with swifter types in the interim. Did work first-over last week and tried hard.

#5 MORE MORE MORE

Speed is the name of her game and she came close to taking them all the way last week for Lackey. Figures to fly away from the wings again and play catch me if you can.

#6 MACHET TIME

Been mixing it up with some tough distaffers in the Vallandingham and sharp boys in the Horowitz and lands her softest assignment to date at this stand. Helps make it interesting.

Race 7

#1 URKILLINMESMALLS

Gamely re-rallied to get first win of meet two back versus easier foes, then made two breaks in the most recent and lost contact. Asked a tough question in this line-up.

#2 OUTLAWNOTHNBUTSMART

Dominated an easier field two back with a stretch rush, then rode cover to the drive last week and had to settle for a distant show finish behind tonight’s rival Chase The Gold.

#3 BOBS TIME

Overcome a difficult trip to gain the place two back, then was unable to keep up on the cover train in the most recent behind I’m An Athlete and was no factor. Difficult task.

#4 THIS DOG WON’T HUNT

Was actually favored over Chase The Gold when they met five weeks ago and he was no match after leading early. Lots of ability, but shows up now having missed several starts

#5 RIVER LASSENA

Only mare here is going in razor-sharp form and gives Graham barn two looks at the outcome. Absolutely dominated in the Williams final with aggressive handling 

#6 SPECTACULAR SUNET

Rattled off five straight wins to start the meet, was hopelessly blocked in next and then hooked Allmyx’sliventexas most recently in a 1:52 sizzler. Deserves plenty of respect.

#7 CHASE THE GOLD

Riding a 4-race win streak, including that tally in last month’s Arnstine Final where made a devastating move at the half. Sharpened in last week’s score after some missed time. 

#8 MAJOR TED

Stablemate of Urkillinmesmalls is due for a little luck after a couple of rough journeys and then being caught behind an early breaker in last week’s tour. Facing tough group.

Race 8

#1 FRISKY PEDRO

First of 7 in here exiting last week’s contest won by Hay Hay Alright. He did all the heavy lifting up front that night and gave way late, beating a pair of these home.

#2 IMPRESSIVE ART

Cane fourth-over on the cover chooch last week while facing many of these and was unable to make any impact. Just a few nibbles to show for work at this meet and in tough.

#3 HAY HAY ALRIGHT

Has rattled off five straight impressive miles, coming away with three snapshots. After just missing in the Horowitz Final, he did the stalk-and-pounce to perfection last week.

#4 MIKI’S MAGIC RIDE

First of a Pacheco duo. Hasn’t been able to make the needed impression while facing slightly easier company in the recent starts and would be a surprise for more than a slice.

#5 TERROR OF THE NIGHT

Completes the Pacheco team. Made a first-over bid on the final bend last week but was no match for Hay Hay Alright while finishing three-quarters behind Gear Upn Go Moe.

#6 IMMA TANK

Sat a good trip last week while tangling with many of these foes, gave it his best shot but had to settle for a minor award. Have to think the same scenario will play out tonight.

#7 ALMOST CUT MY HAIR

Has been merely a bystander in the two appearances at this meet after a six-month vacation following the summer campaign at Hawthorne. Needs to step up his game.

#8 GEAR UPN GO MOE

Gone some solid miles at this session, including a score in the first leg of the Horowitz. That was a big effort to make up ground on Hay Hay Alright for the place last week.

#9 ARTSPICE

Recorded two wins in the first three starts following the Minnesota ship-in for Roland and faced some tough customers in last week’s outing. Marooned post a concern.

Race 9

#1 ALWAYSASWEETVICTORY

Was asked a tough question on New Year’s Night when taking on A Major Omen in the Open while making first start in over a month since shipping in from Hoosier Park.

#2 DISLOCATOR

Victory at this meet came versus softer company back in mid-November. Comes off a decent try behind Its Pointless and re-united with Svendsen, who guided him to the win.

#3 RAGGED BUT RIGHT

First of a trio here coming out of that 1:52 sizzler turned in by Allmyx’sliventexas and this guy was a solid runner-up that evening, making it three sharp tries at this session.

#4 OFFICER JIM

Likes to do his work on the front and his most recent victory came three back when he was able to moderate the fractions without challenge. Used up early in that 1:52 tour.

#5 PANCETTA

His 41 lifetime scores and 500K bank account speak to his past class. Lost a heartbreaker last week behind a very sharp Ridonkuloso and helps make things interesting.

#6 DANCIN LANCE

Has been stuck on minor awards here, including competing in all three legs of the Alan Horowitz. Will likely be coming from last and hoping for a live cover train to follow.

Race 10

#1 BROOKLYN MOONSHINE

Had traffic issues last week while tackling an easier group and lost her best chance. Facing some sharp distaffers tonight and can’t predict much more than a minor share.

#2 DELIGHTFULLY WILD

She’s gone some huge miles over this layout, but her most recent work hasn’t been her best. Made a big move to command at the half with these last time and gave way readily.

#3 CASA MIA

Handled a softer field to close out 2021 campaign, then came with a rush last week to just miss. The sharpies on the outside of this line-up figure to be too much for her tonight.

#4 ALWAYSALITTLEMORE

Used to command in last week’s top dance and then got shuffled past the half and that was that. Not an impossible task if Luke can work out some type of sweet journey.

#5 CHANGING COLORS

Has made a pair of winner’s circle appearances at this stand while taking on softer company and was the victim of some traffic issues in last week’s clash at this top rung.

#6 SHESUREISSOMETHING

Hard to fault the efforts she’s turned in since arriving from Ky. A game win two back and then found herself with too much work to do last time. Drawn inside her main rivals now.

#7 LIFE ISA SHORTWALK

Was riding a 4-race win streak coming into last week’s Open while missing a start, followed the winner’s cover and had to settle for the place. Moves inside that one now.

#8 ROCKIN WITH LOU

Has been money for veteran Longo since arriving from Oak Grove. Looked super doing the stalk-and-pounce last week in a 1:52 3/5 tour and looms the one to beat right back.

An Open Trot headed by Silverhill Volo and Pridecrest; an Open Pace led by A Major Omen and an Open Distaff Pace featuring Rockin With Lou share the spotlight Sunday evening at Cal Expo.

Watch and Wager LLC has carded 10 races with first post set for 4:55 p.m.  

Silverhill Volo is an 11-year-old son of Muscle Hill out of the Yankee Glide mare Silver Springs who is owned, trained and driven by Chip Lackey.He comes into this assignment with 31 victories from his 156 lifetime trips to the post with $195,000 in his bank account and a 1:55 1/5 mark what was set in Pennsylvania seven years ago.

After a tough best to Pridecrest in the December 12 Joe Lighthill over a sloppy track, Silverhill Volo has landed in the winner’s circle twice for Lackey while racing up close and personal on both occasions.

In his most recent appearance two weeks ago, he was used early to command, was covered up down the backside and then worked his way back to the lead at the head of the lane and went on to a three-quarters of a length decision over Pridecrest.

The latter will be gunning for some revenge for owner Chris Schick, trainer Kathie Plested and regular pilot Mooney Svendsen. He has posed for pictures 48 times from 194 starts with $417,000 in the bank and his 1:53 3/5 track record here five years ago being his mark.

Pridecrest captured his first three starts here, including a game score in the Lighthill last month, then was unable to catch Silverhill Volo when those two last met on New Year’s night.

A Major Omen is a 6-year-old son of Art Major who is owned, trained and driven by 76-year-old Gerry Longo and gave him his 3,000^th career driving victory two weeks ago.

Since coming in from Oak Grove in Kentucky, A Major Omen has rattled off three straight wins, including a game tally on the ship-in in the December 10 Dave Goldschmidt where he carved out all the fractions and refused to lose.

His next decision was much easier on December 17 as he proved a punctual 2-5 favorite in the Open on the front end, and then he had dig deep in that last milestone win for his conditioner to prevail by a half-length over Its Pointless.

Sunday’s program will also feature an elimination heat for the Steve Wiseman Pace. The Open Pace is the second race, the Open Trot goes as the fourth and the Wiseman elim is scheduled as the seventh on the evening.

The 11-year-old Silverhill Volo and his 69-year-old owner/driver/trainer Chip Lackey make quite a team and are coming off back-to-back wins at the head of the trotting class.

Silverhill Volo’s victory in the Open two weeks ago was his 32^nd trip to the charmed enclosure and puts him just another snapshot shy of reaching the $200,000 earnings plateau.

“I’ve had him for about four years now,” Lackey related when asked about the hard-knocking sidewheeler. “He’s bred to be a good one. He’s by Muscle Hill, his dam won the Hambletonian Oaks and he brought $170,000 as a yearling.”

Chip admits that when he first brought Silverhill Volo to Cal Expo, his protégé used to give him some anxious moments coming to the gate, but those days are behind him now.

“He would make my stomach churn because he would turn to come to the gate and he would switch from the pace to the trot. It wasn’t always smooth, but eventually it wasn’t a problem.”

Lackey related he also made some adjustments to lighten him up front, which allowed him more options with the trotter in the early part of the race.

If anything, Silverhill Volo has proven to be even tougher when the track is deep. “He’s a strong horse. I think when the track gets tiring, it takes less of a toll on him and that’s why he does so well.”

We are pleased to introduce the $15,000g Bill Vallandingham F&M Starter Allowance Event for 2021, to complement the ongoing $20,000g Alan Horowitz Memorial series.

Eligibility for both series begins August 1, 2021. For more information or to download a condition sheet, please click the links below:

Horowitz

Vallandingham

Cal Expo’s New Horse and Returning Horse Incentive program continues with up to $1,050 available for new horses starting early.The race meet runs from from November 20, 2021 through May 1, 2022.

Watch and Wager and the CHHA is proud to announce our 2021/2022 purse schedule. Overnight purses will be increased by 5%.2,319People Reached576Engagements+5.8x HigherDistribution ScoreBoost Post

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Watch and Wager at Cal Expo is pleased to announce our proposed 46-night live harness racing schedule…running from November 2021 through May 2022.

All dates are subject to CHRB approval.

Thank you to all of the fans, bettors, horsemen and staff that made the 2020-21 a success. See you in the Autumn!