Nightmareonelm wins Cal-Expo feature
July 31, 2004,from Cal-Expo Raceway
Sacramento, CA — The Preferred Handicap Pace headlined the penultimate night of racing this season, Friday (July 20) at Cal-Expo.
The event carried a purse of $9,000 and five pacers came to race. In addition to regulars Jersey Bouncer and Wilder Echo in this class, the mare On Sky N was here for her second try, one of California’s best homebred four-year-olds, Nightmareonelm, and old timer Super Marc It made up the field.
Jersey Bouncer was going for his fifth win in a row, the third in this class. Wilder Echo has won nine races here this year, all in the top ranks. On Sky N has been surprisingly good lately and was second to Jersey Bouncer last week, although, to be fair, she wasn’t close to his new life mark of 1:51 flat. This will be the first time Nightmareonelm has raced in this class, however he equaled the track record for four-year-old geldings, originally set by the great Gee Gee Digger, last week in 1:503. The bettors sent him off at 9-5 on Friday evening.
The wagering public sent Jersey Bouncer off odds on, but good luck was not with him this night as Nightmareonelm won in 1:542.
The four geldings left as a team for the lead as Lou Pena ducked On Sky N and let the others fight it out. And fight they did for a few yards when Richard Wojcio ducked Nightmareonelm to the pylons fourth. Then there were three as the opening quarter passed in 27 flat!
Now Rick Plano put Jersey Bouncer, who was outside, to the whip and he was able to get by Wilder Echo and get to the front. For a bit Wilder Echo was still stuck outside, but was able to drop in second as Super Marc It could not keep up at that point.
The half went in :541 and on the far turn Richard Wojcio tipped Nightmareonelm out and he came first over collaring Jersey Bouncer at the 1:23 three-quarters. He moved ahead and actually won eased as the battle at the finish was between Jersey Bouncer and the mare. In a driving finish On Sky N nipped Jersey Bouncer by a quarter length for second.
Gayle Cavner is the breeder of the winner and one-third owner along with Mike Graziano and Billie Schwartz. Nightmareonelm is by Little Steven out of the Lakehills Jeb dam Dreamline Jeb N. This was his fifth win in 21 starts this year and he has banked just over $50,000 for his owners in those starts.