from Cal-Expo Raceway
Sacramento, CA — Cal-Expo kicked off the 2004-2005 race meet in Sacramento with a 14-race card on Friday evening, September 24th. Highlight of the night was an Open Handicap Trot featuring I’m Dam Goog and JW Dutch Treat, arguably the best two trotters on the grounds. The purse was $6,100.
Chip Lackey brushed JW Dutch Treat out of the gate quickest of all as usual. Ed Hensley ducked I’m Dam Goog and took up residence in the rear of the six horse field.
The opener passed in :283 and midway down the backstretch Hensley tipped the Googster out and set sail for the top. The half passed in :582 and the three-quarters in 1:272 and still the Dutchman had a length on I’m Dam Goog, who was sent off the public favorite. No one had come out to give him cover, but two had followed him.
With an eighth left to trot JW Dutch Treat looked to be winning comfortably, but with 50 yards left to trot he hit a wall and I’m Dam Goog trotted on by for a half length win in a good time of 1:554. His mark is 1:55 flat. That time gave a good idea of just how fast the JR Williams-lead track crew had spiffed up the oval for the opener.
JW Dutch Treat was second and Gilbert Garcia got his Garland Lobell mare, No Complications, up for third.
Gregg Pistochini of nearby Auburn owns the winner and Hensley also trains him. He is a nine-year-old gelding by Googie, out of the Rowdy Yankee mare Damsel Spirit. He has now earned a few bucks shy of $439,000 life.