Team Matthews Stays In Focus At Cal Expo

Team Matthews Stays In Focus At Cal Expo
Friday, February 3, 2012 - by Mark Ratzky, Publicity -- Cal Expo

The majority of people who watch and wager on the races at Cal Expo are actually somewhere other than the Sacramento facility, which brings us to Frank Matthews, the boss of the Cal Expo video department for the last seven years.

“I started at Golden Gate at around the age of 15 being the simulcast operator, and now 17 years later I’m the head of the video department here at Cal Expo,” Matthews related. “The crew that I have has helped me produce a product that I am proud of and I thank the owners of Pegasus for giving me a chance at such a young age.”

Frank lives in the Bay Area, which means he has something near a 160-mile round trip journey from home to the racetrack. In addition to heading up the department here at Cal Expo, Matthews directs things for televising the Northern California thoroughbred fair circuit and has also produced and directed numbers shows about racing and various other projects.

“None of this would be possible without the help of a good crew,” he noted. “Dave Kuri, my graphics operator is great. He works hard in the morning with trainer Nathalie Tremblay and continues to work hard at night making sure he gets the right information out to the betting public.

“Tape operator Derek Halvorson works close with the stewards taking care of all their needs. During the day Derek works with the Stockton Unified School District as a teacher’s aide. We have seven camera operators here, who are out there dealing with the weather just like the drivers, rain or shine.

“Robert Isola and Ian Craig shoot the pan cameras. Norman Dodd, Reece Blackstone, Ninef Alkhas and Todd Coss operate the tower shots and the paddock/winners circle cameraman is DJ Selba.”

A tip of the hat goes out from management to the team that brings the trotters and pacers here at Cal Expo to everyone else via the wonderful world of simulcasting.

Cal Expo Featured Trot On Saturday brings out Putoneonnetformom

Putoneonnetformom, who has had his picture taken in his last two appearances with the best on the grounds, attempts the hat trick in Saturday night’s (February 4) $4,500 Winners-over Trot at Cal Expo.

Set to take him on are stable-mate Shelby County, who will give trainer Rocky Stidham two solid looks at the outcome; Giles L S Hanover, Carpathian Hooray and Meringue.

An 8-year-old son of Trot For Joy out of the Armbro Goal mare Light The Lamp, Putoneonnetformom is owned and was bred by Jeff, Gerald and Diana Cimini with Stidham the conditioner and James Kennedy in his usual spot in the sulky. He has the next-to-outside post position for this go-around.

The dark-hued trotter comes into this assignment with $131,000 in his bank account and a 1:57.2 career standard that was established over this layout last season. He clicked in seven of his 22 tries last year, including a smart tally at the head of the class on New Year’s Eve.

After settling for a second and a third in his first two outings of 2012, Putoneonetformom has looked very strong getting the job done in his last pair. He has put his versatility on display in these victories, making every pole a winning one in the January 20 decision and then coming from off the pace to account for the most recent while coming a :28.2 final quarter to seal the deal.

Giles L S Hanover has been his most immediate victim in the last two top outings and actually comes into this race with three straight exacta completions. Bob Johnson trains the 7-year-old son of S J’s Photo and owns along with Marty Garey and Hank Wieseneck while Steve Wiseman does the honors.

Shelby County has some excellent work here and looms large from the assigned outside slot with Stidham at the controls, while Carpathian Hooray has Jim Lackey giving directions, and Meringue leaves from the one-hole with Luke Plano handling the lines.

Live racing resumes at Cal Expo on Friday (February 3) & Saturday (February 4) at 6:00 p.m. (PST). On every live card, Cal Expo offers free parking & free admission after 4:30 p.m. On Friday, Cal Expo offers Happy Hour from 4:00-7:00 p.m. on which Beer; Well Drinks & Wine are offered at $4 each, while a Burger with fries is offered at $5.

Cal Expo now offers a reduced 15 percent takeout rate on all Pick 4’s (Thursday/Friday nights in partnership with the USTA Strategic Wagering Committee). In addition, all Late Pick 4’s will come with a $10,000-guaranteed pool. On Saturday night, there will be a 0% takeout on successful Late Pick 4 tickets made at Cal Expo or at Twinspires.com.