by Mark Ratzky, for Cal-Expo Raceway

Sacramento, CA — Phipps, who has posed for pictures following four of his last six outings and has actually crossed the line first in five of those miles, and Celebrity Surfer, who is returning to the West Coast for John Stephenson, are among the 10 trotters set for Wednesday night’s $7,500 Open Handicap at Cal-Expo Raceway.

By virtue of having earned over $65,000 in his last six appearances, Celebrity Surfer has been assigned the outside post with Steve Wiseman set to drive. The talented side-wheeler last saw action on October 13 at Vernon Downs and turned in a sharp 1:58.4 tune-up in a qualifier last week. On the year, he has banked $131,000.

Phipps is a 6-year-old son of S J’s Photo who is reined and trained by Lou Pena, who also co-owns the gelding with Wade Miller. Overall this season, he has clicked 10 times from 35 trips to the post, is at the $140,000 mark in earnings and sports a career standard of 1:56 flat.

The hard-knocking trotter established that mark when he handled optional claiming company back on October 11, looping the field for a two length decision that evening. He came right back the following week to again handle that caliber with another sweeping move off the turn, and then stepped up to the Invitational for his next outing.

Once again, Pena sat a stalking trip with Phipps, asked the question when the field turned for home and prevailed by nearly three lengths. They were denied a fourth straight win when they hit the line a nose in front of I’m Dam Goog over a sloppy track on November 2, but were set back to second by the stewards for a lapped-on break.

Phipps set much of the pace in the Free-For-All two weeks ago, but could not quite stay with the finishers in that affair and had to settle for a close third. He reverted to his closing style for his most recent appearance in the Open, igniting smartly in the stretch to get the job done by a length over I’m Dam Goog.

The latter is one of the most popular performers of recent years and goes about his business for Gregg Pistochini and driver/trainer Ed Hensley. He boasts some impressive credentials, having banked over $600,000 with a 1:55 flat mark that was set here two years ago.

The California-bred son of Googie made 13 winner’s circle visits in both 2004 and 2005, with six wins and 15 seconds to show for his 36 starts this season. His most recent snapshot came following the aforementioned November 2 Open where he lost the photo, but was awarded the decision when Phipps made that late miscue. Since that mile, I’m Dam Goog has a fourth in the Free-For-All and a solid runner-up finish in last week’s clash at the top rung.

Oatmeister gives the Hensley shedrow two solid looks at the outcome. This long-fused side-wheeler races for Weaver Bruscemi Llc, and will have Gilbert Herrera giving directions. Eight of his 25 starts on the year have ended up in the charmed enclosure, including a 1:55.1 lifetime-best over the summer.

The son of Conway Hall recorded his last tally in the October 19 Open, as he exploded with a :27 and change final quarter to be up in the final strides. He has come back with a second and two fourth place finishes and would love to see an early duel to help set the table for his closing kick.

Desperatehousewife is the lone mare in the cast and was a sharp victress two weeks ago over the best on the grounds. She races for Carol Campbell and Jean MacDonell with Todd Ratchford in the sulky. A multiple Sire Stakes victress, she has $110,000 in earnings and that most recent score lowered her lifetime standard to the 1:57.3 mark.

Rounding out the line-up are Stormy Hall, Rick Plano; River City Sam, Brad Irvine; Splendoriffic, John McKeon; Trot Like Dad, Rocky Stidham; and Kash L’Argent, Steve Wiseman. A 14-race program is on tap, with the main event set as the 11th on the evening.

$25,000 Guaranteed Bal-Cal Pick Four Challenge

This being Wednesday night, it means another renewal of the popular Bal-Cal Pick 4 Challenge. The $1 wager combines two races (Races 11 & 12) at Balmoral Park, with races 11 & 12 from Cal-Expo, and comes attached with a $25,000-guaranteed pool.

While last week’s Bal-Cal was on the modest side, three of the last 14 payoffs have been huge, with returns of $19,000, $18,000 and $10,000 for correctly forecasting the two winners in Illinois and the pair from this oval.

Will there be another monster payoff this time around? You find a better bargain anywhere for just a buck, so sharpen those pencils and take a shot.

Live racing resumes at Cal-Expo tonight, continuing Friday and Saturday, while dark on Thursday, Thanksgiving day. Admission on Wednesday is free. Additionally, on Wednesdays, Cal-Expo offers a complete Lasagna Dinner, with salad & bread, for just $2.00. Post time each night is at 5:35 (PST).

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.