by Mark Ratzky, publicity, Cal-Expo

Sacramento, CA — Bangers And Mash is an interesting 11-year-old New Zealand-bred trotter/turned pacer/turned trotter, who made a visit to the charmed circle last week at Cal-Expo for his owner, trainer and driver Kennedy Lindsey.

Bangers And Mash was good enough to win in 1:57.2 on the trot here three years ago, but seemed to make as many breaks as he did complete flat miles. He switched over to pacing for a period, then returned to his original gait when purchased by Lindsey some six months ago.

“I’d seen him trot in (1:)57 and change for Louie (Pena) and thought I’d give him another chance as a trotter,” Lindsey explained. “Needless to say, it’s been a work in progress. He’s got quite a bit of speed, but he’s also as bull-headed as they come.”

The veteran was his old off-stride self to close out last year and start this one, but has now trotted three straight miles without a miscue, including last week’s coast-to-coast score for Kennedy on a dreadful night that would have challenged the postman to make his appointed rounds.

“The key with this horse is the shoeing, and I’ve had to do a lot of experimenting,” his mentor related. “You have to remember, this is a very high-strung horse and when he makes up his mind to start running, there’s no stopping him. If he jumps off during a race and you can’t duck him behind the car or into a chute, he’ll pull your arms off.”

As mentioned earlier, Bangers And Mash has now gone three complete tours without making a break.

“I just let him ease out of there and on to the lead last time, and once he made it around the far turn, I knew we were safe.”

At least for the time being, this is an old trotter/pacer/trotter who has been able to learn some new tricks. Win or lose, it’s always an adventure with this guy whether you’re in the bike or betting $2 to win.

Classy mare makes a smooth transition

Sports Bra has been the gift that keeps on giving for owner Chris Schick and trainer Rick Plano. The Sportsmaster mare was red-tagged by Schick and Plano for $20,000 back in January of 2003, making some $62,000 on the racetrack for her connections. Since going to the breeding shed, she’s produced four foals for them with another in the works.

Sports Bra’s first two to the races are both by Power Of Art and have visited the winner’s circle. Inconvenient Truth is in Saturday night and comes off a strong victory last weekend, while The Hot Italian won last season at 2 and is being readied for her sophomore debut.

“Sports Bra was a tiny mare, but she had lightning speed from the gate and was able to bolt out of there and put herself in a good spot,” related Schick. “She had a 1:52.2 mark before we got her and had a lot of talent, but she also had some foot problems.

“Inconvenient Truth is a lot like his dam, because he’s on the small side. The Hot Italian is a full sister and she’s got some good size to her. I’d say she’s about 60 days away from making her 3-year-old debut.”

For the next three matings, Sports Bra was sent to Indiana sires while retaining her home at the Desomer ranch. She has an unnamed 2-year-old by Electric Yankee, a yearling by Art’s Chip and is currently in foal to Red River Hanover.

“Rick is pretty high on the Electric Yankee filly,” Schick said. “He’s even looking at staking her to some big races back East. Sports Bra has been awfully good to us, and we’re looking forward to getting more of her foals to the races.”