Plano Has Night To Remember At Cal-Expo
Sunday, June 7, 2009- by Scott Ehrlich, Publicity -- Cal-Expo
 
He not only recorded his 5,200 career driving triumph, but Rick Plano also tied a record by winning eight consecutive drives.
 
When Rick Plano won the last two races (Mr Lifeguard/El Grande Real) on Friday night (June 5) at Cal-Expo, he had no idea that he'd win his next six drives on Saturday (June 6), but that's exactly what the ageless veteran did.
 
Starting off the night with his 5,200 career driving score behind JD's Awesome Al, Plano would close the double with Television Star.
 
Taking a race off, Plano made it five winning drives in-a-row when he guided the trotting Anns Nestegg to victory.
 
With another race off, Plano would get Lakers R Electric to the winner's circle in the sixth race, now giving Plano six straight.
 
Race seven saw seven in-a-row as Plano guided the trotter Frankie's Pride home first.
 
With a race off in the eighth, Plano would find room in the 9th-race along the pylons with Exit Hanover as the pair dead-heated with Freedoms My Style (Jim Marino).  This victory was not only his eighth winning drive in as many drives, but it tied him with Lou Pena for the most consecutive winning drives at Cal-Expo - - a mark Pena obtained around 1996 or 1997 when he had eight straight driving wins over a doubleheader card at Cal-Expo.
 
The opportunity in the 12th race for Plano to hold the record by himself, however, wouldn't occur, as Sing Herbie Sing couldn't dent the speedy Devilish Donnie (Rocky Stidham) and had to settle for second.
 
"It has been one of those weeks were I've been on a roll for a while," noted Plano.  "It seemed like wherever I put the horses was the right spot and they were able to get there.
 
"It's hard to think you can win eight in-a-row when you drive so many and for five different trainers.
 
"On 5,200 wins, it makes me feel at 57 that I'm still fairly competitive," concluded a modest Plano.
 
For Plano, all in all over Friday and Saturday, he'd notch a lucky 13 wins.