from Cal-Expo Raceway
Sacramento, CA — Odds-on choice Always Quick Speed, driven by Rocky Stidham, won the most exciting race of the program on Wednesday evening, November 24, at Cal-Expo. Four horses were lapped on at the finish, and two more were within a length and a half of the winner. The event was a conditioned trot for a purse of $3,400. Stidham took the five-year-old Proud Crown mare out quickest of all and grabbed the pylons from the four post, but Moonie Svendsen came harder on the outside with Double Flirt. Once that mare had the lead Rick Kuebler tipped Egocentric out and brushed to the lead. Stidham immediately followed that one and again took the pocket as Double Flirt was already dropping out of it. They stayed that way to the three-quarters when Keith Willey came first over with KD Justice. Wally Petersen followed that one with Kimmie Girl and Bruce Clarke put Kramer Kosmos’ nose on Petersen’s hat. At this point Always Quick Speed was locked in the pocket. Both Kimmie Girl and Kramer Kosmos tipped off their cover and came up the outside determinedly. Most of the way down the stretch Stidham was looking desperately for racing room but was finding none. With an eighth left to trot Always Quick Speed was fifth with a wall of four horses in front of her. Then with 50 yards left to race KD Justice tired some and drifted out enough for Always Quick Speed to get through, and burst through she did, winning by a half length in 2:00.3. Kramer Kosmos closed next fastest and nipped Kimmie Girl by a nose for second. The latter had a nose on Egocentric for third. KD Justice was fifth, a length and three-quarters behind the winner. Dr. Norman Ringer of Modesto owns the winner and Stidham also trains her. She is out of the Bonefish dam Always Speed. This was her second win in 14 starts this year. Capitol Racing takes a night off on Thanksgiving and wishes everyone a great holiday.