by Mark Ratzky, publicity department, Sacramento Harness Association

Sacramento, CA — Auric Aura, fresh from a coast-to-coast score as the favorite at his most recent asking, should be strongly backed once again as he heads the cast for Wednesday night’s (April 11) $6,300 headliner at Cal-Expo. A field of seven will face starter Bill Vallandingham and will be racing for base claiming prices of $25,000 down to $18,000.

Auric Aura is a 7-year-old son of the storied Hi Ho Silverheel’s, who is reined and trained by Ed Hensley, and is owned by Jessica Hensley. He recently went over the $100,000 mark in earnings, has a 1:53.3 mark that was set as a sophomore, and is shooting for his fourth win on the year from nine trips to the post.

The Hensley color-bearer recorded the first of his 2007 scores while racing at a slightly softer level in mid-February, then stepped up in class and got to the charmed circle while competing with this caliber on March 3. He sat a pocket trip in that affair and ignited when it counted.

After settling for minor awards in his next three outings, Auric Aura got some heavy support at the windows last week and returned to his winning ways. He was sent right to the lead, carved out the fractions without pressure, and showed the way home by a length over Hidden Dragon N.

The latter is a New Zealand-bred 7-year-old who races for Katherine Bardis, with Bob Johnson the conditioner and Rick Kuebler in the sulky. He has one win to his credit this season and was a solid runner-up in last week’s tour behind Auric Aura.

Hidden Dragon N got the aforementioned snapshot in a conditioned event in early March, coming first-over in game fashion to prevail. His last few tries have come at this claiming rung, and he put in a solid late move to complete the exacta last time after stalking the lone speed to the drive. He will be coupled in the wagering with Carl Lewis N, who has Lou Pena at the helm.

Machine Maker was third in that event and has posted a win, two seconds, and three thirds from his eight trips to the post this season. Tom Wine now trains the son of Blissfull Hall for Mark Knutson, with Luke Plano getting the driving assignment. He will be making his second start since being claimed by these connections from his second place finish on March 28.

The co-feature on the 11-race card is a conditioned trot that brings out the popular I’m Dam Goog, Stormy Hall and Eweburn Sun N as they do battle for a $4,900 purse.

This being Wednesday night, it’s time for another renewal of the popular Bal-Cal Pick 4 Challenge, which combines two races (Races 10 and 11) at Balmoral Park in Illinois with a pair (Races 10 and 11) from Cal-Expo. The $1 wager comes attached with a $25,000 guaranteed pool. Post time for the first leg of the Bal-Cal Challenge will be at approximately 8:27 p.m. (PDT).

Last week saw a $3,300 return for correctly picking the four winners. Last fall, there were some giant returns on the dollar investment, with $20,000, $19,000 and $18,000 jackpots lighting up the tote board.

Hitchiker is leaving little doubt

Hitchiker is one of the few horses we’ve come across who should actually come with his own exclamation mark.

Unbeaten in his six starts, including five stakes victories, all with Tien Desomer in the bike, the 3-year-old trotting son of Tulane has left little doubt as to his superiority. His average winning margin with his peers has been some 16 lengths, including a 13-length romp in the first stakes gathering of the year for this group last month.

Along the way, Hitchiker has put himself in the record books as the fastest 2-year-old trotter in track history, and it’s a pretty good bet he’s going to earn the same distinction for sophomore trotters before too long.

“It was the plan all along to give him some time off after the last stakes race in October and he’s come back very nicely,” related trainer Vickie Desomer. “This is a horse with absolutely no problems whatsoever, and the last one we had like this was Desmond, back in the 70’s.”

Hitchiker will be suiting up for another stakes assignment this weekend, and you have to pity the trotters who will leaving alongside him at the gate that evening. If history means anything, it’s going to be the last time they get close to this budding star during the once-around tour.

Live racing resumes at Cal-Expo on Wednesday, April 11, continuing through Saturday. Post time each night is at 5:35 p.m. (PDT). On Wednesday, the estimated Pick-5 pool is $17,500. Additionally on Wednesday, admission is free, plus Cal-Expo offers a complete Lasagna dinner, with salad and bread, for just $2.00.

Cal-Expo now offers guaranteed $10,000 pools on all Pick-4’s!