by Al Cimaglia
January 17, 2021
Sunday night's Cal Expo card has 13 races scheduled with the 0.20 Pick 4 starting in Race 9. 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 9
2-Solongo (15-1)-Swinging for a price and if this 6-year-old could duplicate the 155.3 mile from 2 back it could be time for a rare picture.
3-Cowboys Dirtyboots (6-1)-Bumps up a notch after one of the better efforts in a while. This will be the 3rd time Cutting steers and upswing could continue.
4-He Grins Again (3-1)-Beaten chalk at this class last week should be the major threat here. But faded down the lane in last and will need to be better. Should have no excuse but this field might be better than the last group.
6-Mystic Ruler (12-1)-Raced well against better from the 8-hole and looks like a player here. It's doubtful the morning line price will hold up but should go off at fair odds.
Race 10
2-Chase Me Forever (15-1)-Has been racing better in last 2 starts without Lasix. Could leave to land a close-up seat and get sucked around. Using in a field where the program chalk #5, has 4 wins in the last 33 starts.
5-Bngs Express (3-1)-Will likely be bet and should be in the mix but barn is not doing well over the last 30 days. Using but not with an abundance of confidence.
10-California Rock (6-1)-Post doesn't help but gets Plano between the pipes and was his choice. Drops and has 10 wins in 28 starts at CalX.
Race 11
2-Steady Breeze (2-1)-Makes 3rd start for Roland and last was the best effort in a while. This is also the 3rd start since shipping into CalX and could get the top and not look back. Beaten chalk in last 2 may finally reward backers.
Race 12
2-Get My Good Side (3-1)-Broke in last as an odds-on favorite but Cutting is back and it was his choice. Hasn't taken a picture in the last 21 starts but could compete if minds manners.
5-Mr Steal Your Girl (5/2)-Roland's choice over #2 has shown some abilty to pass foes down the lane, more than most others. Needs to show more but this a very weak group.
7-Hagginatthebeach (6-1)-Plano steers his own pupil in 2nd start of the meet. Lightly raced mare won 3 of 13 last year and has a shot to surprise at a square price if tight enough.
My Ticket
Race 9) 2,3,4,6
Race 10) 2,5,10
Race 11) 2
Race 12) 2,5,7
Total Ticket Cost) $7.20 for $0.20
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