Amigo De Garcia, Spoons Do Battle At Cal Expo

Amigo De Garcia, Spoons Do Battle At Cal Expo
Wednesday, June 15, 2011 - by Mark Ratzky, Publicity -- Cal Expo

Amigo De Garcia, who had his win streak snapped when he just missed last week; and Spoons, fresh from a coast-to-coast decision at this level, get the marquee treatment at Cal Expo in Friday night’s (June 17) $2,700 pacing feature.

There are two programs left at the current meeting, with the Saturday card (June 18) bringing down the curtain and finding the final two races in the TVG Get Away Amateur Driver Series.

Amigo De Garcia is a 4-year-old son of Little Steven out of the Precious Bunny mare Jethica Tandy who is owned and trained by Robley Johnson. The dark-hued performer is coming off three straight strong efforts with Luke Plano handling the lines.

A class drop resulted in a victory at 1-5 on May 27, then he came back to post an 11-1 upset at next asking off a track-and-attack journey. In last week’s outing, Amigo De Garcia missed by a neck to favored Itza Free For All in another solid come-from-behind try and he should be tough back in this league.

The Vickie Desomer barn is strongly represented with Spoons and Achy Breaky Art in the line-up. The former will have Lemoyne Svendsen in the sulky, while Steve Wiseman has the return assignment behind Achy Breaky Art and they are coming off a one-two finish under these conditions.

Sent off the second choice behind his barn-mate in last week’s mile, Spoons went right to the front for Svendsen and never looked like a loser. He reported to the wire with two lengths to spare in a lifetime-best 1:55.2 performance, while Achy Breaky Art had to settle for the exacta completion as the 4-5 chalk that evening.

Completing the cast are One And Only from the one-hole; Fox Valley Sly, who will have Rick Bertrand giving directions; Sun On The Rocks with Scott Cisco; Lucky Peterson and William Succarotte; Whipped Dreams with Rich Wojcio; and Mighty Fine Hi Ho, who has the outside with James Kennedy doing the honors.

Live racing resumes at Cal Expo on Thursday (June 16) and continues through closing night Saturday (June 18). Post-time on Thursday is 5:30 p.m. (PDT). Post-time on Friday (June 17) & Saturday is 6:00 p.m. On Thursday night, Cal Expo offers the Late Pick-4 with a $10,000 guaranteed pool. The wager will be conducted on races five through eight. 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.

On Saturday, Cal Expo offers a reduced 15 percent takeout rate on both the Early & Late Pick-4 (mandatory payoff) with the Late Pick-4 having a $15,000 gross guaranteed pool. Additionally, for winning wagers made on the Late Pick-4 online at TwinSpires.com or on track at Cal Expo, a bonus payout of 17.65 percent of the gross Late Pick 4 mutuel payoff will be paid.