by Mark Ratzky, publicity department, Sacramento Harness Association

Sacramento, CA — British Columbia, who changed tactics to score a powerful front-end victory last week for Steve Hyman; Final Choice, her most immediate victim as the favorite that evening; and the classy Phipps, all square off in Friday’s (October 5) $4,900 main event at Cal-Expo.

British Columbia is a 5-year-old daughter of British Sterling and the Hunter’s Star mare Hunting For Gold, who is owned and was bred by Alan Kirschenbaum with Hyman doing the driving and training. She comes into Friday’s assignment with $108,000 in her bank account and a 1:56.3 mark, which was established in last week’s tally.

The dark-hued mare was a solid winner here on August 16 at this level after sitting a nice pocket trip, but had to settle for a pair of seconds and three show finishes in her next five trips to the post. On each of those occasions, she came from off the pace.

Sent off at 4-1 in last week’s meeting at this rung, Hyman decided to take things into his own hands and left smartly with his mare. She was able to open a commanding eight length advantage at the half, had five when the field straightened for home and prevailed by the same margin while shaving a second and a tick off her career standard with the 1:56.3 clocking.

Phipps is a 7-year-old who is owned and trained by Lou Pena, who also co-owns along with Wade Miller. He is making his first start since scoring a victory with this caliber on August 24, has a 1:56 mark and is looking to add to a $173,000 career account.

Final Choice is a hard-knocking side-wheeler who is owned, trained and driven by Gilbert Herrera. A seven-time winner last season, he has clicked in 10 of his 35 outings this season, has pushed his earnings over the $172,000 plateau, and has a 1:56.4 mark from two years ago.

Final Choice got his most recent snapshot while doing his work with this caliber two weeks ago. He was reserved early in that contest, came with live cover to the drive, then kicked home nicely to get the job done by three-quarters of a length over British Columbia.

In their last meeting, he found himself with too much to do after being caught behind some breaking rivals on the first bend. He was able to close a bit of ground and was well clear of the rest, but was no threat to the front-end victress in that contest. He could easily turn the tables with the right journey here.

Rounding out the line-up are Simply Made, who has Ed Hensley giving directions; Easter Call, who will be handled by David Siegel; and Trot For Rock, who leaves from the outside slot for Rocky Stidham. Each of these also has the chance to get the job done with their top efforts in a very interesting event.

Biggest Big Bertha a liberated lady

Biggest Big Bertha is on a roll. The daughter of Little Steven has rattled off three straight victories for trainer Patty Harris and pilot Ed Hensley, on each occasion taking the measure of the best males on the grounds.

Last week’s assignment figured to be her toughest, as she was assigned the outside post for the first time in quite a while. It was no problem for Marilee Keene and David Shell’s color-bearer, however, as she made a huge move from last to first before the half and went on to a length decision.

“She’s super easy to train and a real pleasure to be around,” said Harris, who saw the razor-sharp distaffer return to her shedrow recently. “I think racing with the Harmer bike has helped her, because it’s basically got lighter and flatter wheels and a bit more lift, which seems to help some horses.”

Harris is also quick to point out that sitting in that Harmer bike is Hensley, who is unbeaten with Biggest Big Bertha since returning from his Eastern sojourn. Ed thought about leaving with the mare from the six slot last week, but instead elected to take back to last before making what turned out to be the winning move down the backside that evening.

“I used her a bit going to the front, but I wasn’t concerned because she felt real good, which made me feel it was going to take something real good to beat her.”

Keystone Eli, D Jokerman and Frankthebank all came home in :27 and small change to make it somewhat interesting, but Biggest Big Bertha always had things under control and had a length-plus to spare at the wire. After clicking at 7-1 and 5-1 in the previous two scores, the crowd caught on this time and sent her off the even-money choice.

Live racing resumes at Cal-Expo on Friday (October 5), continuing through Saturday. Post time on both nights is scheduled for 5:35 p.m. (PDT). On Friday, Cal-Expo offers Happy Hour between 6:00-8:00 p.m., where $1 beer, $2 wine & $3 orders of buffalo wings are offered. Estimated total Pick-6 Pool (races 4-9) for Friday night is $10,000.

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