by Mark Ratzky, publicity, Cal-Expo

Sacramento, CA — After suffering through a frustrating beginning to her 2009 campaign, including a nose setback two weeks ago, the trotting mare Ailene’s Last finally got her picture taken at her most recent asking.

The New Age Hanover mare carries the banner of Mary Harris and the Raul Escobedo trainee has been handled in her last two starts by Jason Ricco. Last week’s score at odds of 5-1 had to be satisfying after settling for minor awards in the previous 13 attempts on the season.

While Mary Harris has had a lifelong love of horses, it wasn’t until about 20 years ago that she started to get involved in harness racing.

“I was boarding horses at the same farm as Raleigh Wiseman, who became my husband, and he got me interested in the trotters and pacers.”

When Raleigh passed away three years ago, Mary decided to carry on the stable in his honor.

“At first, I really wasn’t all that interested in the racing end, but I made it my business to find the horses good homes when their racetrack days were over,” she explained. “Eventually, the racing started to grow on me, though, and I became a big fan.

“I enjoy all parts of the game, from the breeding, to raising the babies to seeing them in action on the racetrack,” Mary said. “I guess I prefer the trotters, because they have such a beautiful stride. They may be more of a challenge, but they’re not as hard on themselves and they last longer.”

Big Gun has come out firing

He’s currently doing his work in modest company, but Gene Vallandingham feels his 4-year-old trotter Big Gun may be ready to compete at the Invitational level later in the season.

Gene reins and trains the 4-year-old Illinois-bred son of High Falls for longtime client Michael Silber and they joined forces last week to go coast-to-coast over conditioned rivals for the gelding’s second tally from his last six trips to the post.

“I got the horse last September from Chicago, and he’d made breaks behind the gate in 16 of his 20 starts,” Vallandingham related. “He’s been a real project, because just about everything scares him and you have to be especially careful when you try to put anything in his mouth.

“With most trotters, you’re going to be dealing with straightening out physical problems, but with him it’s almost totally mental. I’ve also been trying to put some more weight on him, and he’s probably got another 40 pounds or so before he’s where I want him.”

Big Gun zipped right to the top and never looked back in last week’s score, but his mentor relates that it isn’t his preferred style.

“He’s better from off the pace, but there wasn’t much speed in that field and we just went on with it. If somebody had wanted the lead, I’d have given it to them, because he’s stronger from off of it.”

Gene admits there is a little extra satisfaction when you put so much work into a horse and it begins to pay off like it has with Big Gun.

“I even got fined a few times because of the way I had to bring him up to the gate slowly, but he’s learning. I honestly feel he has the chance to be in the Invite down the road.”

By the way, Vallandingham boasts one of the most impressive resumes in the room. He’s been a mainstay on the California circuit for nearly 40 years and comes into this week’s action with 2,866 driving victories and more than $13 million in earnings. He’s looking to add to those totals with Big Gun, who is certainly headed in the right direction.

Dani California, here she comes

After picking up one trophy last season, Dani California has been runner-up in all three stakes for the trotting fillies this year. The homebred will get another shot at some big money next weekend when she suits up for the $25,000 Championship.

Alan Kirschenbaum co-owns the daughter of Supernatural with Denise Maier while Tim Maier does the driving and training. She packs a pretty nice punch in the lane, but it also means her early options can be a bit limited.

“Dani California is a big, strong mare with a solid stretch kick, particularly if she’s been covered up most of the mile,” Kirschenbaum related. “The draw has worked against her in every one of the stakes races so far, because she keeps getting the outside in a small pack of horses.

“She’s not particularly quick off the switch, so she winds up following soft fractions, with her main competition well-positioned up front. Then, when it’s time to pull, she’s often the only one to do so, and she winds up first-over.”

Dani California got the place money behind Sheila’s Dream in the first added-money affair of the season on April 10, and has completed the exacta behind defending champ Firewall in the last two get-togethers.

“I’ve always been an advocate of letting the race unfold and playing to you own horses’ strengths,” Alan continued. “Timmy has done a nice job of being patient with her and not forcing the issue. Like a certain Dodger who shall remain nameless, that’s just Dani being Dani. If she draws well this time around and can stalk her main rivals from closer up, I’m hopeful she can be right there when the flashbulbs go off.”

By the way, Kirschenbaum is delighted with the continued success of Little Steven, who was a great horse on the track and is obviously passing this on to his progeny. Just to name a couple in action these days, he’s the sire of new track record holder Pacinello and up-and-coming Star Time Kid, while his half-sister Ladyladybemylady is the dam of multiple stakes winner Haggin Oaks.