Cal Expo: Cutting, Plano earn driving, training titles

Congratulations go out to Jake Cutting and Luke Plano, the leading driver and trainer, respectively, at the Cal Expo meet that ends this week with a Friday program.

Jake Cutting is celebrating his first driving crown, while Luke Plano has won several titles in the sulky but is making his first appearance at the top of the trainer standings in Sacramento.

Jake Cutting is a 23-year-old who scored the first win of his career in 2020 up in Canada. He got off to a fast start at this meet and never looked back, holding a 14-length advantage going into the final card.

“I came into this meet with a lot of confidence, but I can’t say I had any expectations,” Jake related. “My dad (Darryl) had some real nice horses and I want to thank all the trainers that gave me an opportunity.”

One of the highlights for Cutting was the pacer Kamara, who captured three straight Opens to establish himself as one of the top performers at this stand.

Luke Plano has won countless driving titles here at Cal Expo, but in the last few years has put more emphasis on his own barn and has had an outstanding meet with his trainees.

“In the past I would have less than 10 horses of my own here, but this year I had between 15 and 20 and along with my owners, we tried to come up with a nice balance.”

“It was gratifying that so many did well. Ain’t She Special was particularly satisfying because early in the meet she had some issues that we had to straighten out, but after that she was super, and we were very proud of that 1:51 and change victory in the Open in March

“Handsome Harvey, Jack Rabbit Slims and Bombay Hanover also raced strong here, and I was very happy with the development of Powderhouse and Hunky Dory, who were both non-winners of one when the meet started.”

-release (By Mark Ratzky for Cal Expo)