by Al Cimaglia
January 14, 2024
Cal Expo wraps up the weekend with a 10-race card. 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 (6:50 PM PST)
1-AK Up N Attem (8/1)-Tossing the last race, broke at the start versus better and had the 10-hole. Gets a +++ driver change with James Kennedy taking the lines and drops to a level that is a picture taking opportunity.
4-Bettor’s Promise (9/2)-Comes off a no-move mile so has money off its card, and now drops to a more competitive level. James Lackey can work a very efficient trip with this post draw and be the best down the lane.
5-Tommy Shelby (5/1)-The trainer who also owns and regularly drives gives the nod to Nick Roland. Recent form has been dull but will take a swing the driver change will matter and will use only solid prices in this leg.
Race 8 (7:10 PM PST)
3-Heavens Gone Rock (6-1)-Raced from the back in the 1st start against Open Company. Rallied nicely in 57.1 to cash a 3rd place check.
4-Major Offense (15-1)-Has 1 win in 5 starts versus Open company and has been a consistent check casher. Needs to find live cover and Svendsen can work that trip. Should offer a big price and the Plested barn is starting to click.
5-Ragged But Right (6-1)-Has two 2nd place finishes in both attempts to tackle this kind. Could have been pace compromised in last as 7-Major Omen walked to the half in 58.4. Might be able to tackle the leader if lands in the pocket again.
6-Dancin Lance (3-1)-Took 2 pictures at this class and then was stuck with posts 7 & 8. Gets a big boost with James Kennedy doing the steering and could return to winning ways.
Race 9 (7:30 PM PST)
3-Cut A Rug (8/5)-Has been bet down in the last 2 races which were at this class. The twice beaten chalk may have met a beatable field as the 2 that finished ahead are not in the mix this time.
4-Sporty Spook A (8-1)-Started from post 7 and raced from the back in last. Came the back half in 56.2 but had too much ground to make-up. Cutting could work a different plan, race near the top of the stack and roll by down the lane.
Race 10 (7:50 PM PST)
4-Sin Machqueen (5/2)-Team Cutting entry deserves consideration but not loving the short price. The 13-year-old knows how to get the job done but needs the right trip these days to finish best of all.
5-Dance Traveler (4-1)-This 8-year-old has done good work at CalX over the years (66-8-10-10). Svendsen sticks with the Johnson entry #2, so Nick Roland gets the assignment. Could be put in play off the gate and finally post an overdue win with the benefit of an efficient trip.
0.20 Pick 4
1,4,5/3,4,5,6/3,4/4,5
Total Bet=$9.60
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