by Mark Ratzky, publicity, Cal-Expo

Sacramento, CA — David McKellar, who notched his first Cal Expo victory last week, is a 45-year-old Toronto native who is making his first venture to California.

“I’m really enjoying myself,” he related.

For McKellar, a love for the trotters and pacers came when he was 8 years old, and he knew then he wanted to make it his career.

“My step-dad owned some horses and once I got the chance to see the backstretch and jog one or two, I was hooked.”

McKellar got his first real hands-on experience while working with top trainer Keith Linton in British Columbia, then spent 11 years in Alberta under the wing of another fine conditioner in Keith Clark.

“I went out on my own in the mid 90s, and then in 2007 I got a great opportunity when I trained for the late Robert Murphy,” McKellar said. “I had 26 horses for him, including Duca, who set a couple of track records, and Regal Beauty, who won quite a few top races for the mares.”

When Murphy passed away last year, his stable was dispersed and McKellar pretty much found himself back to square one.

“I basically had to start over, and I had a choice of going to Alberta or trying California. I figured my horses would fit better out here, and so far I’m loving it.”

Pacing fillies battle in Sire Stakes on Friday

A $15,000 California Sire Stakes for the 3-year-old pacing fillies is the main attraction at Cal Expo on Friday night (May 13), with Whip And A Prayer, Math Wiz and Poor House heading the cast.

Whip And A Prayer looms the favorite as the Frank Nevarez homebred daughter of Hi Ho Silverheel’s has been firing bullets in all the big-money gatherings for the division this season. Gordie Graham trains and Rich Wojcio will once again be handling the lines.

Whip And A Prayer picked up one stakes trophy last season, then came flying late to account for the first Sire Stakes of 2011 on April 8. Two weeks later in the next added-money affair, the dark-hued mare moved to the lead in the stretch, then was collared on the money by Poor House. She was second in last week’s elimination, beaten a head by Math Wiz.

The latter is a homebred daughter of Distinguishedbaron who carries the banner of Wayne and Rod Knittel with Rick Plano training and Luke Plano in the sulky. She will be making only her fourth trip to the post, earning her graduation papers at first asking on April 21 and then posting a $19 upset in last week’s elimination heat off a second-over journey behind Whip And A Prayer.

Poor House figures right in the battle as she makes her third start since being purchased privately by trainer George Reider, Rick and Marlene Thomas and Dave Haness. James Kennedy guides the Little Steven offspring, who ignited late to earn her first stakes score in the April 22 get-together and was third in the aforementioned elimination after a first-over journey.

Rounding out the cast are Swing Vote, who has the rail with Jim Lackey giving directions; Dine N Wine and Steve Wiseman; Diamond Player with Scott Cisco; Racetrack Diva for Tim Maier; Moximum with Lemoyne Svendsen; Hi Fidelity, who gives the Plano barn two looks at the outcome with her trainer at the controls; and Feetdontfailmenow with David Siegel.

Live racing resumes at Cal Expo on Thursday (May 12) and continues through Saturday (May 14). Post time on Thursday is 5:30 p.m. (PDT). Post time on Friday and Saturday is 6 p.m.