from Cal-Expo Raceway
Sacramento, CA — The feature race at Cal-Expo on Friday night, November 26, was the Open Handicap Trot. Six square gaiters lined up at the starting gate with Benn’s Fire, the only mare in the race, being sent off as the public’s favorite. The event carried a purse of $7,200. Bruce Clarke cranked up Benn’s Fire with five/sixteenths left to trot and she brushed to the lead from six lengths back before hitting the three-quarters. She then hit the wire eased up in 1:56.4. Rocky Stidham got Hedaman away swiftest of the field with both Armbro Scribe and Trottin’ Tarzan almost as quick. Armbro Scribe had the pylons and when Hedaman cleared that one, Ed Hensley dropped Trottin’ Tarzan into third. Just past the opening quarter Hensley powered Trottin’ Tarzan up and took the lead. The half passed in :57.3 and the next move was that of Benn’s Fire. Gilbert Garcia followed Benn’s Fire with Interview Hanover, but that one could not keep up with the boldest brush of the current meet. That allowed Hedaman out just past the 1:27.4 three-quarters. At the top of the stretch Hedaman was four lengths behind the mare and she looked as if she was cruising. Hedaman closed the gap to one and a quarter lengths to take second; Interview Hanover stayed ahead of Armbro Scribe for third. After the early rush to the front Trottin’ Tarzan came up empty in the stretch and finished fifth. Mark Anderson of Rolling Hills owns and trains the winner. She is a seven-year-old by Valleymeister out of the Incredible Nevele dam Incredible Flame. This was her 11th win this year from 34 starts and she has amassed just over $62,000 in those starts, all in California.