by Scott Ehrlich, publicity director, Sacramento Harness Association

Sacramento, CA — A resolute leader didn’t make things easy, but Jess Or No was still able to dig down deep and get a well-earned victory.

Conditioned trotters, racing for a $6,000 purse, were highlighted at Cal-Expo on Thursday night (November 15), in which Jess Or No got back on the winning track.

Starting from post position three in the field of five for trainer/driver Ed Hensley, Jess Or No would yield the lead after an eighth of a mile for the pocket to Bangers And Mash N (Lou Pena) into a :29.3 first quarter.

Remaining in the pocket after a half-mile had been trotted in :59.2, Jess Or No would be flushed from the garden seat in the middle of the final turn by a first-over I Look Special (Gilbert Herrera).

“I did the same thing two weeks ago when we won,” said Hensley. “So I figured I’d give him a chance — especially since I thought I could beat Bangers And Mash.”

Edging up on the rim at the three-quarter pole, timed in 1:28.2, Hensley would gain even more confidence as his charge would be in full gear at the top of the lane. That confidence level, however, was decreased when Hensley noticed that Bangers And Mash N was also in full flight.

“I thought it was going to be a battle because I wasn’t going by Bangers And Mash very easily. My trotter, however, trotted as well as he could — which was as well as I could have expected — and was able to get the win.”

Wearing down a very stubborn Bangers And Mash N in the shadow of the wire while not all-out, the Jessica Hensley owned gelding would win by a neck in 1:57, a lifetime mark. Bangers And Mash N was gallant in defeat while having to settle for the place honors. I Look Special finished another 2-1/4 lengths back in third.

“I was very proud of him — it was an excellent effort,” Hensley finished.

Live racing will resume at Cal-Expo on Friday (November 16) and continue through Saturday. Post time on Friday and Saturday is scheduled for 5:35 p.m. (PST). On Friday, Cal-Expo offers Happy Hour between 6:00-8:00 p.m., where $1 beer, $2 wine and $3 orders of buffalo wings are offered.

Cal-Expo offers guaranteed $10,000 pools on all Pick-4’s!