Cal-Expo Weekend Expanded As East-Coast Tracks Climate-Cancelled

Winter Storm Grayson froze most of the Eastern Seaboard by Thursday, Jan. 4. Racetrack cancellations came quickly, as went many of our selected features for the weekend. As of this writing, we are not sure if all of our east-based tracks will cancel, as did the Meadowlands and the Meadows in an announcement Friday.

Racing has not, however, shut down in other venues, so to make up for the losses in opportunities, we offer this addendum to our weekly preview by suggesting West Coast action at Cal-Expo, which is unaffected by “Grayson.” Our preview blog already featured Jan. 5’s Race 4 at the Sacramento raceway. Below, check out some suggested contenders for other Cal-Expo races on Jan. 5 and Jan. 6 and refer to the regular preview blog for Cal-Expo on the H2W list.

CAL-EXPO
Friday, Jan. 5
Race 3

This conditioned trot may offer better chances than odds for Itzaziam. His morning line (ML) is 9-2 in this field of seven. In a Cal-Expo Open last week he was heaving for a huge win at 26-1 when he broke in traffic interference.

CAL-EXPO
Friday, Jan. 5
Race 4

Gerald Longo has fit-and-ready stock again this meet and Swagasaurusrex is one of them. He may not be the favorite considering some strange affection for the horse leaving to his right. This race launches a Pick 3.

CAL-EXPO
Friday, Jan. 5
Race 8

Nathalie Tremblay takes command over Windsong Lindsey in the mare’s second race at Cal-Expo since a thriving campaign at Yonkers. A ML of 6-1 would be a gift unless it is as hugely mis-measured as we feel.

CAL-EXPO
Friday, Jan. 5
Race 9

Miss Banjolina lost at 3-1 stepping up a tad after a win (we gave it out at 5-1). Veteran Gene Vallandingham puts her in a higher class, having great confidence in her speed, which could win this for her with a rated drive and deliver a good price.

CAL-EXPO
Saturday, Jan. 6
Race 2

Scary Harry pumped up the exotics last week with a sharp second while in very tight at the finish (he may have won with room). He was 8-1 and is listed as 6-1 here, which is great in a six-horse field. He could make the Daily Double worth it.

CAL-EXPO
Saturday, Jan. 6
Race 7

Musician broke and was eliminated in a leg of a local series and steps up here from his Dec. 16 win. He has had some brutal trips which have cost bettors more than his connections, since he has cashed some minor checks along the way. He has raced with better and could wipe the ML choices out here.

CAL-EXPO
Saturday, Jan. 6
Race 9

Cowboys Dirtyboots almost got to the favorite last time (and probably the favorite again this time), stepping up after a win at a lower tag and then a toss-out conditioned race. Leaving from mid-field he should get a suck-a-long trip and be able to let loose in the stretch.