by Scott Ehrlich, publicity director, Sacramento Harness Association

Sacramento, CA — He was dropping down in class to the level of his last three wins, and once again I’m Dam Goog taught his younger foes a lesson.

Conditioned and claiming trotters, racing for a $4,900 purse, were featured at Cal-Expo on Wednesday night, May 16, in which the ageless I’m Dam Goog had his 93rd winner’s circle picture taken.

Prior to starting from post position six in the field of seven, driver Tim Maier had good reason for optimism.

“He figured in there off the class drop, it was just a matter of putting him in the race and letting him do his work,” said Maier. “I had made up my mind that I was going to leave with him unless someone got crazy — in which case I would take him back.”

Leaving and racing three-wide to the first turn before getting to the pylons just before the field had traveled 3-16ths of a mile while Grampa T (Scott Cisco) was taking the lead at the same time, I’m Dam Goog would find himself in the pocket at the quarter-mile pole, timed in a quick :28.4.

“That was a pretty good quarter, especially when you look at the first quarters he had been going recently. I did use him, but it didn’t really seem to faze him. At the quarter-mile pole, I was just waiting for us to straighten out and re-take.”

Moving back out past the 5-16ths pole, I’m Dam Goog would make his second move while clearing the lead at the 7-16ths pole — at which point Maier applied the brakes before reaching the half-mile pole, timed in :59.

“The second quarter, as it turned out, was a breather for him. The two moves didn’t bother him. I liked his chances at the half just for the fact that he’s an old class horse that knows how to get the job done.”

Receiving pressure from Easter Call (Lou Pena) as the field headed into the final turn, I’m Dam Goog would make eye contact with his opponent and of course knew what to do.

“He saw Easter Call coming and picked up the bit and was going to go as much as he needed to go to stay in front.”

Leading by three-quarters of a length at the three-quarter-mile pole, timed in 1:28.2, Maier now felt even more confident.

“I popped the earplugs at the three-quarter-mile pole and he responded by trotting on. At the top of the lane I urged him and he got into yet another gear. Once he got into that extra gear, I was confident he was going to win. He finished the mile strong.”

Owned by Gregg Pistochini and trained by Denise Maier, I’m Dam Goog ($3.00) would nicely hold firm to win by two lengths, in 1:57.3. Grampa T was a good second, and Lost In The Keys (Luke Plano) was another 1-1/4 lengths back in third.

“It was a friendly spot to find and it was a very good effort by him,” Maier finished.

On Wednesday night, no one correctly selected four of four in the $25,000 Bal-Cal Pick 4 Challenge. As a result, a carryover of $15,403.97 will be added into the May 30 Bal-Cal pool. The estimated total Bal-Cal pool for that night is $40,000. There will be no Bal-Cal on Wednesday, May 23, as Cal-Expo is dark on that night.

Live racing resumes at Cal-Expo on Thursday, May 17, continuing through Saturday. Post time on Thursday is at 5:35 p.m. (PDT). Post time on Fridays and Saturdays is now at 6:15 p.m. On Thursday, Cal-Expo offers Fiesta Thursdays, in which fans can enjoy $2.00 frozen margaritas and tacos!

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