by Mark Ratzky, publicity, Cal-Expo

Sacramento, CA — Brandon Welence, the 22-year-old son of owner/driver Paul Welence, has an extended family amongst the Cal Expo horsemen, and recently made two very special presentations to show his appreciation.

Brandon, a Petty Officer EO3 in the Navy, just returned from his second tour of duty in Afghanistan, bringing with him a plaque and a certified Battalion flag that was flown over Camp Leatherneck in the Helmend Province.

“The EO stands for Equipment Operator,” Paul explained. “He was involved in construction envoys as a heavy duty operator, helping to build roads on the lines for our troops to advance in hostile territories.”

While the elder Welence related that the first eight-month tour was hard on his family, the second deployment to Afghanistan was even more trying.

“The second tour was even worse, because this time we knew what to expect. I can’t tell you how much emotional support we got from the horsemen, and there wasn’t a day that went by that several of them didn’t ask about Brandon. A number of them were even keeping track right along with us of how many days he had to go. It meant so much to us, and fortunately he came back fine.”

Brandon, who enjoys the sport and has done his share of time in a jog cart, returned to the States on Nov. 10. He is currently awaiting his new orders, which are expected to be shore duty and will not send him into harm’s way in the immediate future.

We all thank Brandon Welence for his service to our country and wish him the very best. It’s clear he has quite a rooting section at Cal Expo.

Distaffers battle in Kaycess Doll Series

The spotlight will be on the pacing fillies and mares at Cal Expo Friday evening (Dec. 3) with the Kaycess Doll series bringing out the likes of Just Plum Lucky, One Hot Tamale and She Is So Glad.

Just Plum Lucky is fresh from a runner-up finish to 73-1 upsetter Gee Up in last week’s Sire Stakes for the sophomore fillies and looms large for the team of owner/breeders Rick and Marlene Thomas, trainer George Reider and driver Luke Plano.

The Power Of Art offspring has a trio of victories to her credit at this stand while sporting a 1:55.4 career standard. She sat the pocket in that last stakes gathering, fought it out gamely the length of the stretch but lost a neck decision to the aforementioned Gee Up in that affair.

She Is So Glad was sixth in that race as the 6-5 choice, but accounted for the two previous big-money events in facile fashion and has to be given plenty of respect. Jim Wilkinson, Jr. conditions the Power Of Art homebred and also co-owns with Hans Karge, Billie Schwartz and Jay Rosenberg, while Rich Wojcio has the return driving assignment.

She Is So Glad set her lifetime standard of 1:55 when she crushed her peers by 6-1/4 lengths on Oct. 29, then came back two weeks later to account for the next added-money dance in another impressive mile where she came home in :27.3 to seal the deal.

One Hot Tamale is another member of the cast with multiple stakes trophies on her mantle for owner/breeder Wayne Knittel. Rick Plano drives and trains the daughter of Distinguishedbaron and her best mile definitely puts her in the thick of things here from the cozy one-hole.

Rounding out the cast are The Lady Isa Champ, who gives the Wilkinson barn two looks at the outcome with Tim Maier guiding; Artilda with Scott Cisco; Upncoming Prospect for Steve Wiseman; and Bewareofthisaffair, who does her work from the outside with James Kennedy at the helm.

A 15-race card is set with the Kaycess Doll going as the sixth event.

Live racing resumes at Cal Expo on Thursday (Dec. 2) and continues through Saturday (Dec. 4). Post time on Thursday is at 5 p.m. (PST). Approximate post time on Friday (Dec. 3) and Saturday is 5:40 p.m.