Cal Expo begins the weekend with an 8-race card featuring California Sires Stakes action. The 0.20 Pick 4 starts in Race 5. 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 5

1-Mystery Dragon (5-1)-Drops into a good spot to pick up a win and doesn't need to go gate to wire. Kennedy gets the call and should be forwardly placed throughout.
7-Unfiltered (5/2)-The Schneider trainee should also like the company. Mullet could have the pedal down and be there at the wire with a smooth trip.

Race 6

3-Polar Storm (2-1)-Comes off a nice effort to down everyone in this field except #2. That was a strong try and this was Plano's choice over #1 as Thayer is not driving tonight. Versatile 3-year-old is a main player.
6-Lukes Proclamation (7/2)-Couldn't catch the leaders in last and finished a distant 3rd. Will look for a rebound and has the gate speed to get a close-up seat. Did miss a start before the last race and comes back in sequence this time.

Race 7

3-Pancetta (9/5)-Comes off a dominating win and raced better than I expected. This will be a bigger test, should be bet again and looks ready for the challenge.
5-Frewil Dakota Sven (3/1)-Drops, gets Kennedy between the pipes and that could make a considerable difference. Pulled last week and came 1st over against a 2-1 winner who just stole a quarter. That plan failed, this is a better level and will look for an improved effort. Might be overlooked at the windows.

Race 8

3-Shes A Live Wire (7/5)-This mare has won 5 of the last 33 and has 3 pictures in 22 races at CalX but versus this crew, she is 7/5 in the morning line. Has been facing better, so will swallow the short price and use but will hope for the one below.
6-Rockin N Rollin (8-1)-Saying this 6-year-old is camera shy is an understatement, has 1 picture in the last 46 races. But has hit the board in 4 of 10 this year and had a brutal trip in the last start. Raced first over for 3/4 of a mile and then dropped anchor. They went to the 3/4's in 1.25 and now gets a ++ driver change in Kennedy. The short field should help, has enough speed to win and the trip will be much better.

0.20 Pick 4

1,7/3,6/3,5/3,6
Total Bet=$3.20

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