Help Page eyes Open encore at Cal Expo

Help Page, who made 8-1 look like easy money in the most recent top dance for the trotters, goes from the rail to the demanding 10 post in Saturday night’s (Dec. 30) featured $8,800 Open Trot at Cal Expo.

There are nine races on tap under the Watch and Wager LLC banner with first post of 9:55 p.m.

The Open Trot will go as the seventh race on the card while the Jack Williams elimination for pacing fillies and mares will occupy the fourth race slot on the evening.

A 3-year-old son of Helpisontheway, Help Page needed a couple of starts before hitting his best stride after coming in from Hoosier Park but is definitely on his game now for owner Gretchen Smith, trainer Alexia Kehl and pilot Sean Smithpeters.

After troubled trips in his first two starts at the meet, Help Page left from the rail in the Open Trot two weeks ago and went off at double his 4-1 morning line odds.

He tracked pace-setting Body Armor to the half, was out to engage that rival to the second turn and was very powerful through the lane to prevail by 2-3/4 lengths that evening.

Taking him on, from the rail out: Silverhill Volo, Serene Hall, Louis, Daytona Dreamin, Dylan The Great, Peter’s Royalty, Pridecrest, Mandeville and Body Armor.