Cal Expo kicks off the New Year with an 11-race card. The headliner comes in Race 5, the Alan Horowitz Memorial Pace with a $30,000 purse. The 0.20 Pick 4 starts in Race 7. The sequence has a $25,000 guaranteed pool with a 16% takeout, and it will be my focus.

Comments and selections below are based on a fast track.

Race 7

3-Lisplaced (8-1)-Paid off at 55-1 from post 9 in last week's win. Rallied from last and is back in at the same class, so the morning line price looks worth the risk.
7-Not Me Gram (9/5)-Beaten chalk looked dull in CalX debut. Requalified with Lackey on 12-26 in 1.56 and drops. The short price is tough to swallow but should be a player at this level and cashed checks facing $10k claimers at Hoosier.
10-Miki's Magic Ride (5-1)-Drops after a string of dull tries. Plano takes a seat and that is a ++ driver change. Probably will leave then hope to land in a decent seat. Can close coming off cover if there is an honest pace and should offer a square price.

Race 8

2-Snoah (15-1)-This is a hodge-podge group and will take a swing for a price. Gets a positive driver change in Lackey taking the lines and is competitive with the right trip. Was used hard more than once in last, not a great steer and will look for improvement.
6-Salary (2-1)-Was no match for Divine Art in last and either was anyone else. Can come with one nice move and could beat these if Irvine does his job.
8-Ain't She Special (4-1)-Didn't get the best of trips but was probably not going to beat #1 starting from the rail on a sloppy track. Expecting the track to be no worse than "good" and this mare might be overlooked. Plano should have her in striking range turning for the wire.

Race 9

2-Paddy Murphy (12-1)-Chip Lackey lands on this veteran who has hit the board in 22 of 57 at CalX with 6 pictures. Lackey has been hot and is one of the better drivers on this circuit, so looking forward to a smooth trip. Probably won't down #3 if he is dialed on high but can top the others.
3-Keystone Tenacious (8/5)-Not sure if a head pole came off down the lane in last but caught a big shuffle and wasn't going to win regardless. Takes a significant drop and has the speed to top this crew. Will be a tiny price and appears to be a clean trip away from a picture.

Race 10

4-Marced Magic (6-1)-Has hit the board in 29 of 58 here and has posted 13 wins. Plano gets the call tonight which should help. Draws well and not expecting to get 6-1 but should be a main player.
9-Ynotthishoss (10-1)-Was used a couple of times and drew the 9-hole, which made for a rough trip. Can rally nicely off cover and Lackey could work a smooth trip. Has a shot to be the best down the lane with a live cover flow.

0.20 Pick 4

3,7,10/2,6,8/2,3/4,9
Total Bet=$7.20

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