by Mark Ratzky, publicity, Cal-Expo

Sacramento, CA — Cal Expo has named Saturday night’s (April 9) eighth race for Pulse, the popular 13-year-old pacer who passed away last week. Pulse died from injuries suffered when he was attempting to breed at Shannon Machovec’s Second Chance Farm in Elk Grove.

“It was tragic, and we’re still trying to recover from the shock,” said Machovec.

“Gretchen Smith gave me Pulse for a riding horse, and I thought he deserved the chance to be a stallion. We had five mares lined up, and this was his first one.”

A son of Life Sign, Pulse won 59 of his 281 starts, banking $468,000 and sporting a 1:51 lifetime mark that was established at Mohawk. He is best remembered for starting his career here at Cal Expo with 10 straight victories for owner J. Paul Reddam and trainer Rick Plano.

During that streak, he became the fastest 2-year-old in Cal Expo history with a 1:54.1 tour, a mark that still stands.

“I’ll always have a soft spot in my heart for Pulse,” Plano said. “He won 10 in a row to start his career and he was probably the best horse I’ve ever driven.”

Plano will attempt to win the race named for the late pacer with two trainees in Most Happy Lavros and Star Time Kid.

Cal Expo to score 10 across the track

With Spring having arrived and the hopeful end to rainy and windy weather, fans wagering on Cal Expo should take note that until further notice, horses with post position 10 are back to lining up behind the starting gate, with their nose on the gate, on the far outside.

Sire Stakes on tap Saturday night

A pair of $15,000 California Sire Stakes for the 3-year-old pacing and trotting colts headed by Shamderock, Im So Sulky and Final Chapter share the spotlight at Cal Expo on Saturday evening.

Rick Plano should have a strong say in the pacing stakes with Shamderock, a homebred son of Hi Ho Silverheel’s who carries the banner of D&E Racing Inc. with his conditioner in the sulky. He was untouchable last year in the added-money events, closing out his brilliant campaign with a 6-3/4 length romp in the Nov. 20 championship over sloppy going.

The bay performer had a return effort in the slop two weeks ago, then looked super, drilling a conditioned field last time over a fast track with Rich Wojcio handling the lines. He was reserved early, attacked turning for home and went on to an eye-catching four length score while lowering his career standard to 1:55.1 in the process.

Vickie Desomer conditions the other three members of the cast in Precious Few, who will be handled by Steve Desomer; Spoons with Steve Wiseman; and Millions, who has Lemoyne Svendsen at the helm.

Im So Sulky accounted for the first three stakes dances last year for the young trotting colts, making every pole a winner in convincing fashion, but made a costly break in the championship and was unable to continue his domination. Alan Anderson owns and trains the Armbro Variable offspring with Steve Wiseman guiding.

Final Chapter was second to Im So Sulky in those first three Sire Stakes before getting the job done in the aforementioned championship. The Team Desomer homebred has been impressive, recording back-to-back victories this year and looms large with Steve Desomer at the controls.

Lodi Nickolus rounds out the field.

The two stakes races are going as non-betting events prior to the regular card.

Live racing resumes at Cal Expo on Thursday (April 7) and continues through Saturday (April 9). Post time on Thursday is 5:35 p.m. (PDT). Post time on Friday and Saturday is 6 p.m.