by Mark Ratzky, Cal-Expo publicity department

Sacramento, CA — Hitchiker, closing in on the $200,000 earnings plateau, gets the top billing in Thursday night’s (July 10) $7,700 Winners Over Trot at Cal-Expo. Set to line up against the razor-sharp performer are British Columbia, Easter Call, I Look Special and Jam N Jelly.

A 4-year-old homebred son of Tulane and the Matt’s Scooter mare Mattune, Hitchiker races for the Desomer Stables, with Vickie Desomer the trainer and Etienne Desomer in the sulky. He sports a ton of stakes trophies on his mantle and has a 1:54 mark that was set last season at the Meadowlands.

The bay trotter won 10 of his 15 starts last year, including a series of local stakes events, then was given some time off. He returned to the wars on June 6 and romped home by seven lengths that night in coast-to-coast fashion. A mishap kept him from racing the following week, but on June 20 he got back to work and once again made every pole a winning one in impressive fashion with Etienne handling the lines.

Sent off the prohibitive 2-5 chalk in his most recent trip to the post on June 27, Hitchiker once again made it look easy as he was parked to a two length advantage at the quarter and took complete control of things from that point. At the wire, he had 4-1/2 lengths on his nearest rival in the 1:56.3 tour.

I Look Special may prove to be the main rival as she is coming off a string of four sharp efforts, coming away with two victories and two runner-up finishes. She carries the banner of Dave Siegel, Bob Thronson and Greg Robinson with Lou Pena doing the driving and training and has a 1:56.1 career standard that was set over this track earlier in the year.

After completing the exacta behind Hitchiker on June 20, I Look Special came back to prove a punctual odds-on favorite at most recent asking with co-owner Siegel in the bike. She stalked early, came with cover on the final bend and then finished smartly to post a 1-1/4 length decision that evening. She appears to be going in top form, but has her work cut out trying to turn the tables on the favorite.

There is a $2,361 Pick-4 carryover on Thursday, with those races covering the second through fifth events on the program.

Another Amateur Series begins Saturday

The second TVG Spring/Summer Amateur series kicks off Saturday night (July 12), and this time the pacing fillies and mares will hold the spotlight. Last month’s series finale was captured by Doctor Gates.

Just like that event, there will be an opening leg where the pacers are available to be claimed for a base price of $3,500, while the following week will see them carrying $4,500 base claiming tags. The top money earners from those two races will be invited to the finale, which will have an estimated purse of $9,000.

As far as the pilots are concerned, they’re all member of the California Amateur Drivers Association. The leading point earner from the two series will represent California in the Tim Fouts race in September in Delaware, Ohio.

Alan Kirschenbaum, a writer/producer by day and a harness owner/breeder/driver by night, enjoys competing in these events and feels they are an important part of the picture.

“To me, amateur driving is at the heart of the appeal of harness racing,” Alan said. “It’s the only competitive sport that an owner can actually play not just an active role, but the most active role.

“Dave Siegel is a great example. He’s only been at this four years or so, and he’s learned to be one of the most competitive, competent drivers at Cal-Expo. He’s also to be commended for working as hard as he does to put these series together.”

Live racing will resume at Cal-Expo on Thursday (July 10) and continue through Saturday (July 12). Post time each night is scheduled for 5:35 p.m. (PDT). On Thursday, Cal-Expo offers a complete lasagna dinner, which includes salad and bread, for just $3.00.

The Pick-6 at Cal-Expo is now a $1 wager.