Jam And Jelly, who got her overdue first win at the meet in last week’s top dance; that night’s pacesetter Easter Call who just failed to last; and the long-fused Berkshire head the cast for Thursday night’s (September 30) featured $5,200 Open 2 Handicap Trot at Cal-Expo.
 
A 6-year-old Indiana-bred daughter of New And Notable, Jam And Jelly will do her work from the outside slot.  Trained by George Reider, who co-owns the mare with Marlene and Rick Thomas, she will once again be guided by Gene Vallandingham.
 
In last week’s Open, Jam And Jelly left to find the pocket behind Easter Call, tracked that one to deep stretch and then ignited late to be up by a head.  The 1:56.3 clocking shaved four ticks off her previous mark and she is looking to add to a $122,000 bank account.
 
Easter Call lost a heartbreaker last time after holding a clear advantage to the final strides.  The 9-year-old son of Toll Call is the richest member of the field with his $182,000 account and was a 1:55.4 victor here last season.  Owned by Mark Anderson and Debra McCarthy, he is conditioned by Anderson and has James Kennedy back at the controls.
 
Berkshire has fired nothing but bullets since arriving from the East Coast for trainer Earl Kennedy, recording three wins and two thirds from his five local trips to the post.  Each of his victories has come from well back, including his first on August 27 when he was some 20 lengths back at the half and was up by a nose.
 
The 4-year-old son of Revenue S. carries the banner of Ron Lingle and has Steve Wiseman on the return call.  He got the job done at this top level two weeks ago and then was the even-money choice last time, doing his work in first-over fashion and having to settle for the show money.  Rounding out the field are Meringue with Tim Maier; and Forever Bachelor, who leaves from the rail with Rick Plano.
 
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On Eagles Wings Takes Flight
 
It’s not often you’ll see a pair of 12-year-olds combining for the exacta around these parts, but that’s exactly what happened when On Eagles Wings at 17-1 and Amcam at even-money crossed the line one-two in last Saturday’s (September 25) nightcap.
 
On Eagles Wings is a New Zealand import who has been a mainstay at the Chris Hernandez barn for many seasons.  He was clicking for the second time in his last four appearances and has now run his bank account over the $126,000 mark with a 1:54 career standard.
 
“We had the No. 7 post and my plan was to tuck him, but he wanted no part of that when the gate started rolling,” Hernandez related.  “If you fight him too much at the start, he’ll just fight you back and use himself up.”
 
After leaving into the four hole, On Eagles Wings was out and moving again at the half and was able to position himself perfectly behind Amcam as that one was working his way to the lead.
 
“Once the flow started coming at the half, I knew I had to go or be locked in and we were able to flush out the favorite,” Chris explained.  “He carried us to the stretch and then Wings kicked into gear and wanted to go.
 
“He’s kind of a funny horse, because around the barn he is very quiet and easy to work with, but once it’s race time, he can be quite a handful for a 12-year-old.  You let him do what he wants, though, and he’s happy.”
 
On this particular night, what On Eagles Wings wanted was to pace and the Down Under veteran added another picture to his large scrapbook. 
 
Live racing resumes at Cal-Expo on Thursday (September 30) and continues through Saturday (October 2).  Post-time on Thursday is at 6:25 p.m. (PDT).  Post-time on Friday (October 1) is at 6:00 p.m.  Post-time on Saturday is 6:10 p.m.  On Thursday and every live card, Cal-Expo offers free admission, as well as free preferred & general parking after 4:30 p.m.  Also on Thursday night from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Cal-Expo offers a complete Lasagna dinner, which includes salad and bread, for just $3.00.  Additionally on Thursday, beer & wine can be purchased for $3.00 each as well. 
 
Now on Saturdays, Cal-Expo will offer a reduced 15 percent takeout rate on both the Early & Late Pick-4 wagers with BOTH Pick-4’s now having a $10,000 gross guaranteed pool.