by Mark Ratzky, publicity department, Sacramento Harness Association

Sacramento, CA — On Friday night (September 21) at Cal-Expo in the $4,800 feature for claiming handicap trotters, in to be claimed from $8,000 to $12,000, Cherry Tree Luke was fastest of all.

Owned by Clint Lugar and trained by Lou Pena, the Jim Lackey driven gelding would close fast from mid-stretch on after getting pushed back past the middle of the final turn to win ($8.40) by 1-1/4 lengths in 1:58.4. TV Mom (Lemoyne Svendsen) raced gamely to be second, and N V Warlord (Gilbert Herrera) tried his best, but weakened on the lead late and was third, another 1-1/2 lengths farther back.

Keystone Eli on outside looking in

Saturday’s (September 22) main event at Cal-Expo is an Open Pace that finds Keystone Eli attempting to get back on the winning track after failing to threaten at 1-2 last week, while Biggest Big Bertha looks to make it two in a row after posting the upset in that contest.

Keystone Eli is a 4-year-old son of Shady Character, who is owned by Hei Mitchell, takes his lessons from Bob Johnson, and will have Rick Kuebler giving directions. He has been assigned the outside post in the field of nine.

The Mitchell color-bearer comes into this assignment with eight wins from his 26 starts, a 1:51 mark and earnings that recently went over the $100,000 mark.

Keystone Eli was away from the wars from late June until early August, and after a needed effort, rattled off two straight victories on August 25 and September 1 with Kuebler at the helm. On both occasions he made every pole a winning one while enjoying a clear advantage to the stretch.

Sent off at 50 cents on the dollar for last week’s clash at the head of the class, the dark-hued pacer was reserved early from the outside slot in the field of five and was unable to make an impression. It will be interesting to see if he returns to front-end tactics for this weekend’s get-together.

Biggest Big Bertha got the money last week at 7-1, enjoying a pocket journey from her rail start and streaking home in :26.3 to seal the deal. Patty Harris conditions the daughter of Little Steven for Marilee Keene and David Shell and has Ed Hensley for a return engagement.

Last week’s score put Biggest Big Bertha over the $170,000 earnings plateau and she sports a 1:51.1 career standard that was set last season at the Meadowlands. Her task gets much tougher this time around as she goes from the cozy inside to the eight post for this weekend’s tour.

Latino Hall leaves just inside the aforementioned pair and has to be given respect. Mark Anderson owns and trains this Cambest offspring and Jim Lackey will be in his usual spot in the bike. The gelding has seven wins to his credit this season, but has had to settle for a series of minor awards of late, most recently checking in second behind Keystone Eli two weeks ago, then completing the exacta behind Biggest Big Bertha at most recent asking.

A 14-race program is on tap, with the main event set as the eighth on the evening. There is also an Open 3 Handicap immediately following this event, with a full and contentious cast set for that race.

Bertha strikes one for the girls

Last week saw Biggest Big Bertha post a 7-1 surprise in the Open Pace, making full use of a pocket trip and then streaking home in :26.3 to win going away with Ed Hensley at the helm.

Things get a lot more difficult on Saturday night (September 22) though, as she goes from the cozy rail slot to the next-to-outside post in the field of nine. Once again she will be the only distaffer in the cast.

Last week’s win put Marilee Keene and David Shell’s color-bearer over $170,000 in earnings and she seems to be humming along right now after recently returning to the Patty Harris shedrow.

“She’s super easy to train and a real pleasure to be around,” her trainer praised. “I was as surprised as anybody when Keystone Eli didn’t leave last week, because I thought we’d be sitting in the two hole behind him.”

As things turned out, Biggest Big Bertha ended up in the pocket, but it was behind D Jokerman instead of the favorite. It all worked out perfectly, as she exploded in the lane for the 2-1/4 length decision. The race ended a dry spell for Biggest Big Bertha, who had been pacing well but settling for minor awards.

“I think racing with the Harmer bike helped her,” Harris related. “It’s basically got lighter and flatter wheels and a bit more lift, which seems to help some horses. She also got that great trip, and I was really happy with the way she came home.”

Live racing will resume at Cal-Expo on Saturday (September 22). Post time is scheduled for 5:35 p.m. (PDT). Saturday at Cal-Expo is Dollar Night, in which hot dogs, beer, soda, and wine will be sold for one dollar each.

Cal-Expo also offers guaranteed $10,000 pools on all Pick-4’s!