by Scott Ehrlich, publicity director, Sacramento Harness Association

Sacramento, CA — She was the pocket-rocket in her last, but now had to move outside in a race that didn’t figure to shape up for her. That, however, didn’t stop Biggest Big Bertha from recording a monster win.

A combination of Open l and Open ll pacers, racing for a $9,000 purse, were featured at Cal-Expo on Saturday night (September 22), in which Biggest Big Bertha would repeat in superb fashion.

In advance of starting from her assigned post seven in the field of eight, driver Ed Hensley knew it wasn’t going to be as easy as it was the week before when he got the perfect trip.

“I thought there would be a lot of speed tonight, so I figured I’d race my horse from behind given that she’s a mare facing all boys,” said Hensley. “I figured I needed a good trip though for things to work out fair for me.”

Coming away last into a torrid :27 first quarter that was cut out by Keystone Eli (Rick Kuebler), Hensley was pleased, yet had a concern.

“The first quarter was good for me, but they settled kind of quick and I knew then the pace was going to slow down — which wasn’t good.”

As Hensley feared, the tempo, in fact, did become deliberate, thus forcing his hand with five-eighths of a mile to go.

“I pulled at the three-eighths because we were going a slow second quarter and I was looking for cover.”

Moving uncovered and up to fifth while 6-1/2 lengths back at the half-mile marker, timed in :56.2, Hensley wasn’t happy.

“I didn’t like how things were going at that point because I wanted cover and knew I wasn’t going to get it.”

Now steadily gaining to and on the final turn, Biggest Big Bertha would find herself just a length off at the three-quarter-mile station, timed in 1:25.3, all while Hensley was now much more optimistic.

“The slow :29.1 third quarter actually helped me because it kept my horse brave. Additionally, even though she was first-over, she actually got a little breather in that quarter. I knew at the three-quarters that I had Keystone Eli beat because my mare was still strong, and I could see that Keystone Eli wasn’t nearly as strong.”

With the field in the stretch and Biggest Big Bertha continuing to advance, Hensley decided to push the button midway through the stretch drive.

“I asked her at mid-stretch and she forged into the lead. I figured though, with the trip that she had, that she might get a little tired at the end and for that reason I was looking for the closers. She, however, raced better than I expected.”

Drawing clear in deep stretch, Biggest Big Bertha would very nicely hold firm to win ($13.20) by a length. Owned by Marilee Keene and David Shell, and trained by Patty Harris, Biggest Big Bertha would stop the timer at 1:53.2, her 30th career triumph. Latino Hall (Jim Lackey) finished in second, and Derek Bromac N (Lou Pena) came on in deep stretch to be 1-1/4 lengths farther back in third.

“For her not to get tired at the end showed the awesome trip she went. She raced even better than I expected,” Hensley concluded.

For Hensley, the driving victory was one of four winners, of which two were on horses he trained.

In an Open Handicap lll Pace for a purse of $6,000, Frankthebank (Rich Wojcio) closed nicely to take advantage of a battle by others to win by 2-1/2 lengths. Owned by Rick and Marlene Thomas, and trained by Bernie Wolin, Frankthebank would win ($5.40) in 1:54.3. Increase Profit (Ed Hensley) came from way back to be second, and Exit Hanover (Gilbert Herrera), despite a long and tough trip, was game to be just a half-length farther back in third.

Live racing resumes at Cal-Expo on Thursday (September 27), continuing through Saturday. Post time each night is scheduled at 5:35 p.m. (PDT).

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