Sharp Pacers Square Off In Friday Headliner At Cal Expo

Sharp Pacers Square Off In Friday Headliner At Cal Expo
Wednesday, June 8, 2011 - by Mark Ratzky, Publicity -- Cal Expo

Red Star Popeye, Western So and Satire, who were separated by just a length in the slop last weekend; and Got The Giggles, coming off back-to-back victories in convincing style, get the marquee treatment in Friday night’s (June 9) $3,400 pacing headliner at Cal Expo.

Red Star Popeye is a 6-year-old son of As Promised who is owned by Lisa Ehrlich, hails from the Bob Johnson barn and will once again have Lemoyne Svendsen at the controls. Claimed out of a $2,500 claimer on May 20, he was fourth in his first start for the new connections after making a big move to a clear lead in the stretch.

Racing over a sloppy track last week, he was able to work out a pocket trip behind pacesetting Western So, nailing that one by a nose with odds-on favorite Satire settling for third after doing his work in first-over fashion.

Western So is a David Merrick trainee who carries the banner of Jaymes Latch and Lillian Merrick and has Scott Cisco on a return call. He cut out all the fractions over the off going last week and lost a heartbreaker. He established his lifetime standard of 1:52.4 here this season.

Satire will be trying to make amends for the show finish as the 1-2 choice in last week’s gathering. The long-fused performer is conditioned by Matias Ruiz, who co-owns along with Williams Hernandez, and he is looking for his seventh snapshot on the year from 22 trips to the post.

Got The Giggles is a hard-knocking mare who will certainly give them something to think about. Robley Johnson owns and trains the veteran, who is actually a mother of three who has returned to the wars in fine style. She eyes the hat trick while leaving from the outside slot.

Rounding out the field are Western Nitro, who has the rail for driver/trainer David McKellar; and the Greta Smith-trained Doit By The Clock with Steve Wiseman handling the lines. An 11-race card is on tap, with the feature set as the second on the evening.

Live racing resumes at Cal Expo on Thursday (June 9) and continues through Saturday (June 11). Post-time on Thursday is 5:30 p.m. (PDT). Post-time on Friday (June 10) & Saturday is 6:00 p.m. On Thursday nights through the end of the winter-spring meet, Cal Expo offers the Late Pick-4 with a $10,000 guaranteed pool. The wager will be conducted on races six through nine. Further, the takeout for the Late Pick-4 will be lowered to 15 percent, as it will also be on the Early Pick-4. 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.