by Scott Ehrlich, publicity director, Sacramento Harness Association

Sacramento, CA — His pilot feared no one going into the race, including the mighty California Dream, who had clearly earned top billing, but when it was all said and done, Raging Jiffy let it be known that he too was to be feared.

Invitational Handicap pacers, racing for a $10,000 purse, were highlighted at Cal-Expo on the second straight beautiful night in Northern California, in which Raging Jiffy was the pocket-rocket.

In advance of drawing post position five in the field of six, trainer and driver Bruce Clarke had strong feelings about the pacer he co-owns, despite facing a totally in-shape California Dream, and no less, off two weeks.

“I’m not bragging my horse up or anything,” said Clarke, “but I thought he could win because he has been very good, plus I beat California Dream (Rick Kuebler) on February 3, which was my horse’s last start.

“Also, in my opinion, in the start before that (January 27), California Dream just beat me because the hobbles on my horse stretched and I couldn’t drive on him. I think my horse is at the top of his game right now and is one of, if not the best on the grounds. The two weeks off and scratching him last week didn’t concern me because the scratch was because of the rain, plus I always have my horses trained up and in good shape. My strategy was to leave and beat California Dream to the front, then yield to him and follow him.”

Leaving strongly while under a good hold, Raging Jiffy would clear to the lead just as the field entered the first turn. At the same time, California Dream ranged up for a lead he wouldn’t clear until Raging Jiffy surrendered that spot, after pushing the pace the first 3-16th of the mile.

“I just wanted to soften California Dream up a little bit, so I took him 3-16th of a mile. I thought I stung him pretty good because Rick (Kuebler) was loose-lining him and my horse was under a big hold — I never hurt my horse at all.”

With the first-quarter completed in :27.4, Clarke’s plans were working perfectly.

“Like I said, I thought I could beat him and I knew I was going to track him, plus I still had my horse under a very good hold.”

Remaining of course in the pocket to the 3-5 favorite, while still under a good hold at the half-mile marker, timed in :57, was Clarke concerned about the :29.1 second quarter breather for California Dream?

“Absolutely not, because my horse can sprint with the best of them.”

Content, as you’d expect with the pocket, Clarke would take a look back to the three-quarter pole when a first-over Lucky NZ (Ed Hensley) would approach the wheel of his sulky, but Clarke would stay put.

“I was thinking about pulling, but didn’t because I knew that California Dream would open up a little bit off the turn, which would give me a chance to get out. I still thought my chances were very good considering Rick was loose-lining his horse and had already popped his earplugs just a few seconds earlier, plus I still had my horse under a very strong hold.”

Out for the drive with 3-16th of a mile to go and not being asked while California Dream was, Clarke’s biggest concern now was how much windburn he was about to get.

“When I pulled him out of the two hole at the top of the lane, I knew he was a winner because he was still very strong and still under a hold at that point, while California Dream was all-out.”

Taking the lead at the seven-eighths-mile pole while now under a high-line, Raging Jiffy would draw clear late to win by two lengths with a final quarter of :26.2. Owned by Terry Yuck in partnership with Clarke, the 8-year-old stopped the timer at 1:52.3.

“He was simply awesome, he’s just a very good horse,” Clarke proudly concluded.

California Dream finished in second, and Hippity Hop N (Jim Lackey) finished a half-length farther back in third.

In an Open l pace for a purse of $7,500, Derek Bromac N scored by one length in an upset (21-1) for trainer and driver Lou Pena. Owned by Katherine Bardis, the 7-year-old paced the mile in 1:53.2, while pushing his career earnings over the $100,000 mark. Little Stevie (Rick Kuebler), also sent off at odds of 21-1, finished in second, and the 22-1 shot Wilder Echo (Brad Irvine) finished another 1-1/2 lengths farther back in third.

Live racing resumes at Cal-Expo on Thursday (February 22), continuing through Saturday. Post time on Thursday and on Saturday is at 5:35 p.m. Post time on Friday for a special 16-race card is at 5:00 p.m.

Starting Thursday, Cal-Expo will guarantee $10,000 pools on all Pick-4’s and the New Pick-5! Also on Thursday, Cal-Expo offers Fiesta Thursdays, in which fans can enjoy $2.00 frozen margaritas and tacos!