by Mark Ratzky, publicity, Cal Expo Harness

Sacramento, CA — Saturday evening’s (Feb. 7) featured Shelly Goudreau Pace at Cal Expo is named for one of the most talented drivers to ever ply the trade. He passed away in a racing accident at Hollywood Park in 1982.

The young Goudreau got his driving license in 1966 at age 18 and soon led all drivers at Windsor Raceway for two consecutive years. It wasn’t long before he ventured to the U.S. to compete at several Michigan tracks.

In 1977, Goudreau made the trek to California and immediately went to the top of the driving colony there. While competing at Hollywood Park and Los Alamitos, he won the most races and earned the most purse monies on that circuit for two consecutive years.

He came back East to compete at Roosevelt and Yonkers and won many major stakes in New York, including the $200,000 George Morton Levy Pace in 1979 in track-record time at Roosevelt. He drove at the Meadowlands and was once again successful. He competed there against another up-and-coming driver named John Campbell as well as a familiar face from home in Ray Remmen.

It was 1981 that proved Goudreau’s best season. He competed in both the Hambletonian (with Santa Ana) and the Little Brown Jug (with Freedom Fella). He won 170 races and earned $2.3 million in purses that year. These were gaudy numbers for the then 33-year-old.

During his career he was responsible for the success of such horses as Genghis Khan p,1:51.4 ($983,467), Try Scotch p,1:54.3 ($956,770), Tijuana Taxi p,1:54.3 ($784,306), Apollo’s Way p,1:56 ($502,536), Freedom Fella p,1:54.4 ($491,790), Tender Loving Care p,1:52.4 ($327,822) and Superman 1:58.1 ($140,794).

In his short career he amassed 2,291 wins and $12,942,265 in purse money. At the time of his death he was eighth in the North American driver standings.

He was inducted in the Canadian Harness Racing Hall of Fame in 1983.

A field of seven is set to line up for the $7,400 Goudreau Pace, which will occupy the sixth race slot on the evening. The likely favorite is Rikybrnthegaragdwn, who has been the runner-up in all five of his appearances this season, including a pair of Sire Stakes where he was beaten a nose and a neck.

A 4-year-old son of Living It Up out of the Sportsmaster mare Sports Bra, Rickybrnthegaragdwn is owned by Maryann Plano and Nikki Hudson with Luke Plano reining and training. He was a 1:53.2 winner here last season.

Taking him on from the rail out are Put To The Test with Tim Maier; Tony Cheesecake, who will be guided by James Kennedy; Two Willow Dragon, Steve Wiseman; Lil Stevie Oneder with Chip Lackey; Bettor’s Promise for Bruce Clarke; and Pamsfoolishterror, who has the services of Mooney Svendsen.

Hi-5, Jackpot 6 carryovers, guarantees spotlighted

Saturday’s Cal Expo program also features a $9,900 carryover in the Hi-5 with a $35,000 guaranteed pool and a $28,540 carryover in the Jackpot 6. A 13-race card is on tap with first post at 6:10 p.m.

The 10 cent Hi-5 will be decided on the final race and is one of four wagers offered on the program with a reduced 16 percent takeout rate. The others are the 50 cent Pick-5; the 20 cent Pick-4 that has a $25,000 guaranteed pool; and the Jackpot 6, which like the Hi-5 is a 10 cent wager and has that $28,540 carryover going into Saturday’s program.

This week will find the trotters and pacers in action on Saturday and Sunday, while the following two weeks will have racing on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights, Feb. 13-15 and 20-22.