Pridecrest, whose four-race winning streak was interrupted by a second-place finish in the Gary Budahn Free-For-All two weeks ago, aims to return to winning form in Friday night’s highlighted $7,700 Open Trot.
Under the management of Watch and Wager LLC, nine races are scheduled to commence at 6:45 p.m.
Pridecrest, a 12-year-old offspring of Angus Hall, competes under the ownership of Chris Schick, receives training from Kathie Plested, and will once again be guided by Mooney Svendsen as his driver.
With 61 victories out of 241 starts and earnings totalling $556,965, Pridecrest enters this race with an impressive record. His lifetime best time of 1:53.2 was set over this course seven years ago.
He won four consecutive races from late January to early March, including the Joe Lighthill event, showcasing his class and adaptability. In the March 17 Gary Budahn race, Pridecrest was the closely-backed second choice. He shadowed Jack Rabbit Slims for most of the mile but couldn't match up, finishing 2-3/4 lengths behind the winning rival who clocked in at 1:56.2, though comfortably ahead of the rest of the field.
Louis secured third place in the Budahn and seemed to be the primary threat for owner David Dobbelmann, trainer Darryl Cutting, and driver Jake Cutting. This season, he boasts victories in both an Open and an Open II race.
The remaining contenders include Peters Royalty, Silverhill Volo, Help Page, Daytona Dreamin, and Mandeville.
Help Page and Senga Nightmare capture the spotlight
Help Page and Senga Nightmare both secured notable victories last Sunday under the guidance of trainers Alexia Kehl and Ryan Grundy, respectively.
Help Page clinched his second consecutive win since receiving a drop in class, executing a flawless track-and-attack strategy under the regular guidance of pilot Sean Smithpeters, crossing the finish line in 1:56.2.
Alexia Kehl, a 33-year-old native of Wisconsin, has always harboured a passion for horses. However, it wasn't until approximately 15 years ago that she immersed herself in the realm of harness racing while working as a groom for Dave Magee at the then newly established Running Aces in Minnesota.
In 2011, she obtained her training license and has since steadily forged her reputation. Currently, in her second season at Cal Expo, Kehl has seen success with Help Page, capturing three wins from eight appearances this year.
On the same March 24 programme, the resilient Senga Nightmare notched an effortless victory, marking her 23rd win in her 97-race career under the ownership, driving, and training of Ryan Grundy.
Starting as the slight 9-5 favourite in that conditioned event, Senga Nightmare effortlessly asserted her dominance as she surged to the lead down the backstretch and faced no challengers thereafter, cruising to a 4-3/4-length victory in 1:55.1.
"I've had her since her first start," Grundy remarked regarding the daughter of Vertical Horizon. "I suppose you could describe her as being reliable and a joy to have in the stable."