by Mark Ratzky, publicity, Cal-Expo

Sacramento, CA — Bobby Baccala comes into this week’s action at Cal Expo seeking victory No. 12 on the season and his fourth snapshot from his last five trips to the post for trainer George Reider and pilot James Kennedy. He will once again take on his arch rival Franky Provolone in Saturday night’s (Nov. 26) first race.

“When Rick Plano left for New York last spring, Dave and Rob Haness approached me and asked if I’d like tackle a handful and train Bobby Baccala,” Reider related. “Dave told me the horse was temperamental, and would be a bit of a project, but Luke Plano got along with him pretty well and would continue to drive him, if possible. I said sure and the project began.”

As noted earlier, the experiment has been a success as the 4-year-old son of New Age Hanover has made a steady stream of winner’s circle appearances in the interim. As things turned out, Luke Plano has a horse of his own in the same class in Franky Provolone, so James Kennedy has been deputizing in the sulky and has been doing a great job.

From the last five times Bobby Baccala and Franky Provolone have shown up for battle in the same race, the Reider trainee has won three and Luke’s trainee has accounted for the other pair.

“Hanne (Bainter) has given wonderful attention to Bobby and he has responded,” Reider continued. “Bobby and Franky Provolone have been racing well and are taking turns beating each other. It’s a fun rivalry not only because of the horses, but the drivers.

“James and Luke are two of the best. Luke is a tactician, studies every race and is so good at putting his horses in good spots. James always has to be concerned where Luke and Franky are, and fortunately has been up to the task in most of their tries lately. We will be very wary of taking them on again this week.”

Sire Stakes head Saturday Cal Expo program

A pair of $15,000 California Sire Stakes are scheduled at Cal Expo on Saturday (Nov. 26), with the stakes races going as non-betting affairs prior to the regular program.

Shamderock is looking to continue his clean sweep of the big-money events in the pacing Sire Stakes, while Im So Sulky looks to add another trophy to the case and is the one to beat in the trotting end.

Shamderock is a homebred son of Hi Ho Silverheel’s who carries the banner of D&E Racing Inc. with Luke Plano driving and training. He has captured all 10 added-money races for his division and has now reached the $100,000 earnings plateau with a 1:52 mark that was set this summer at Vernon Downs.

Im So Sulky has established himself as the leader of the 3-year-old trotting colts with two dominating stakes scores at this meeting. Alan Anderson owns, trains and bred this Armbro Variable offspring and Steve Wiseman will again handle the lines.

Live racing resumes on Friday (Nov. 25) and Saturday (Nov. 26) at 6 p.m. (PST).