by Scott Ehrlich, publicity director, Sacramento Harness Association

Sacramento, CA — 3-year-old boys, both pacing and trotting, were featured in two separate $22,500 California Sires Stakes on Saturday night (Nov. 25) at Cal-Expo Raceway, in which California Dream and Jess Or No were victorious.

On the pacing side, in a non-wagering race held prior to the races, California Dream, fresh off of a track record performance, proved that victory was no fluke.

In advance of starting from post position four in the field of five, driver Rick Kuebler was quite complimentary of his opponents.

“Right off, I thought it was an outstanding group of 3-year-olds,” said Kuebler. “Every one of them could pace in :52 and a piece or better, and all of them have shown the ability to win the race. For me, I needed an honest pace and a good trip to give my horse the best chance. My strategy was to float out and get ahead of Shock And Awe (Steve Wiseman), then see how it set up from there.”

Floating out as planned and dropping in third into the first turn, California Dream gapped, but the reason turned out to be a positive one.

“He was on the muscle in the first turn and to try to keep him calm and a little more relaxed, I actually kept him off the horse in from of him, but he still had a hold of me and was raring to go.”

With the early quarter being cut out by I Am So Glad (Rich Wojcio) in a time of :27.3, Kuebler was pleased.

“The fraction was fine. As long as there was no action, I was content to sit where I was.”

Closing the gap past the 7-16th pole, California Dream found himself just 2-1/2 lengths back at the half-mile pole, timed in :56.2, all while his pilot remained content, which could not be said for California Dream.

“With the small field, I was going to sit as long as I could, but he was loaded at the half-mile pole.”

With the field at the 9-16th pole, there was unexpected movement from the pocket-sitting Ivegotwhatuneed (Jim Lackey), as well as from California Dream, as a result of I Am So Glad suddenly being void of pace, which saw the pace-setter back through the field.

“When I tipped my horse, Jim Lackey pulled his horse, as both of our horses were starting to grab on more and more, all while I Am So Glad was starting to slow up, which made it easy for the two of us to get around him.”

Left first-over past the five-eighths-mile pole, but only briefly as California Dream now took over the pocket at the 11-16th pole, how helpful were the issues of I Am So Glad?

“As long as I was able to sit and follow until the stretch, it was just what I had hoped for.”

Now beginning to ask his charge for more when the field reached the three-quarter-mile pole, timed in 1:25, Kuebler knew he needed for his horse to be at his best.

“I knew it was going to be a battle as I thought Ivegotwhatuneed was going to be hard to get by, plus I thought Little Walter (Gilbert Herrera) would be closing. I popped his earplugs and urged him after we had straightened out and was hoping tonight would be a replay of his race last week in which he set a track record.”

Coming on for the lead at the seven-eighths-mile pole, while all-out, California Dream edged ahead in the last sixteenth of a mile to win by 1-3/4 lengths. Bred and owned by the partnership of Lester Hunsucker, Jay Rosenberg, and JW Standardbreds, the Jim Wilkinson, Jr. trained pacer stopped the timer at 1:52.3.

“Before he could pace through the wire in a 1:54 mile. I’m now gratified to see as he has gotten older and matured, that he has been able to carry his brush all the way through the wire in a 1:52 mile. If he gets stronger and keeps maturing, he has the speed and the gait to be a topnotch horse. Tonight, along with his track record last week, was one of his top two races,” Kuebler concluded.

Ivegotwhatuneed finished in second, and Shock And Awe finished another half length farther back in third.

The diagonally gaited sophomore boys started off the 14 race card in their Sire Stake, in which heavily favored ($2.60) Jess Or No crushed his foes.

Owned by Jessica Hensley, the Ed Hensley trained and driven gelding cut out fractions of :29.2, 1:00, and 1:29.2, before pulling away with ease in the stretch to win by a dominating 8-1/4 lengths in 1:58.2. Balt Headed Hunter (Rick Plano) led the beaten brigade to finish in second, and Blucher (Rich Wojcio) finished another three-quarters of a length farther back in third.

The $11,300 Ray Richmond Final was contested, in which Mister Streak was a solid winner for driver Rick Kuebler. Owned by James Mascola and Debra Armstrong, the Matias Ruiz 4-year-old won by three lengths, timed in 1:54, a lifetime best. Fine Wine (Tien Desomer) finished in second, and Boss New York N (Rick Plano) was another half length back in third.

Live racing resumes at Cal-Expo on Wednesday, continuing through Saturday. Post time each night is at 5:35 p.m. (PST). On Wednesday, fans can wager into the $25,000 Guaranteed Bal-Cal Pick 4 challenge.

Guaranteed Late Pick-4 pool every Friday and Saturday

Sacramento Harness Association at Cal-Expo continues to offer a $20,000 (guar.) Late Pick-4 pool every Friday and Saturday, on races nine through twelve.