by Mark Ratzky, publicity department, Sacramento Harness Association

Sacramento, CA — Biggest Big Bertha, fresh from three straight victories at the top of the class, and Keystone Eli, who accounted for the previous two major dances, get the marquee treatment in Cal-Expo’s Saturday night (October 6) $9,000 Open Pace.

Biggest Big Bertha is one of the sharpest performers on the grounds at the moment, as the Patty Harris trainee has joined forces with Ed Hensley to rattle off an impressive hat trick. Marilee Keene and David Shell are the owners.

The 6-year-old daughter of Little Steven and the Artsplace mare Ripreza Hanover comes into this weekend’s assignment with $180,000 in her lifetime account and a mark of 1:51.1, which was established last season at the Meadowlands.

After checking in third and fourth behind Keystone Eli in the August 25 and September 1 clashes at this top rung, Biggest Big Bertha got Hensley in the bike and has ended up posing for three straight photographs. In the first of those decisions on September 15, she took advantage of a perfect pocket trip and came home in a sizzling :26.3 to seal the deal.

The following week, she came from last in the field of eight and was a game, first-over victress that evening for a length decision.

In her most recent tour, she was assigned the outside post for the first time, made a power brush from last to the lead midway down the backside and went on to a length victory in a 1:52.3 performance.

Keystone Eli will be looking to regain the top spot in the division for owner Hei Mitchell, trainer Bob Johnson and pilot Rick Kuebler. He has $112,000 in earnings and a 1:51 career standard, which was established last year at the Big M and was equaled this season at Cal-Expo.

The 4-year-old son of Shady Character posted his most recent win in the September 1 Open, as he proved a punctual 4-5 favorite that evening after being parked to command past the quarter. He had to settle for minor awards as the chalk in the next two behind Biggest Big Bertha.

In last week’s square off, he was dispatched as the 9-2 co-third choice in which he sat a tracking journey before cutting into the winner’s long lead at crunch time in a solid effort. It will be interesting to see if he can turn the tables on Saturday.

Looking for an upset are D Jokerman with Steve Wiseman; Frankthebank, to be handled by Rich Wojcio; and the mare JM Lucky Girl, who leaves from the cozy rail for Robley Johnson.

A 12-race card is on tap, with the headliner set as the second on the evening.

Top Topper returns for Wilkinson

Jim Wilkinson is excited about getting Top Topper back to the races in Saturday’s (October 6) ninth race. The son of Bettor’s Delight, who has captured 10 of his 34 starts, has been away from the wars since late July.

“We just decided to give him a little break, because he’d been racing for six and a half straight months,” Wilkinson explained. “He tailed off a little in his last start, so we sent him to the Desomer farm for about a month and he has come back great.”

Top Topper races for the partnership of Billie Schwartz, Jay Rosenberg and Hans Karge, and set his lifetime standard of 1:52.3 during the course of a Meadowlands invasion. It was at the New Jersey track that he suffered an injury that has likely prevented him from doing his best work in the interim.

“He’s certainly had his share of setbacks, including what happened to him at the Meadowlands, but he’s always had a lot of ability. I really think he’s come back sounder and stronger, and we’ll have to see if he can make it back to the top of the class.”

The pacer tipped his hand in last week’s qualifying mile, as he went coast-to-coast to prevail by two lengths in a 1:55 performance.

“He went a little faster than I wanted, but a horse came to him at the half and he went on with it,” Wilkinson related.

“He’s fresh, and some of those horses he’ll be racing against may be a little tired, so hopefully that will work to his advantage. That qualifier will have him nice and tight, and I’m looking forward to see what he can do now.”

Live racing will resume at Cal-Expo on Saturday (October 6). Post time is scheduled for 5:35 p.m. (PDT). Saturday at Cal-Expo is Dollar Night, on which hot dogs, beer, soda and wine will be sold for one dollar each. Estimated total Pick-6 pool (races 4-9) is $17,500.

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