by Scott Ehrlich, publicity director, Sacramento Harness Association

Sacramento, CA — His hand was forced going into the final turn, which meant he needed some luck, which Cherry Tree Luke got on his way to a victory.

Claiming handicap trotters, in to be claimed from $8,000 to $12,000, racing for a $4,800 purse, were featured at Cal-Expo on Wednesday night (August 8), in which Cherry Tree Luke was victorious.

Prior to starting from post position six in the field of the same number, driver Jim Lackey was cautiously optimistic.

“He was real good last week and I thought he had a shot,” said Lackey. “But the winner, TV Mom (Lemoyne Svendsen), who drew inside (post five) me tonight, was real strong down the stretch last week. This was emphasized by the fact that my horse was trotting strongly down the stretch as well, but we were never able to cut into the lead of TV Mom.”

Coming away last while more than ten lengths back at both the quarter-mile pole, timed in :29.2, as well as at the half-mile marker, timed in :58.1, was Lackey concerned?

“I knew how far back I was at the half, but I was no farther back than TV Mom, who was right in front of me. And since we seemed like we were the best two last week, I wasn’t overly concerned.”

If there was a reason of concern for Lackey, it may have been at the five-eighths-mile pole, when he was left with no choice as to which path he was going to take.

“Everybody sort of left the pylons going into the final turn and it looked like I was going to be fifth-over, so I thought I’d try the inside route.”

Advancing up the inside midway through the final turn, Lackey would have to tap the brakes to the three-quarter-mile pole, timed in 1:28.3, when things got a little tight.

“Gilbert (Herrera), who was driving Mario’s Be Happy, was a little undecided about whether to go to the outside, or to stay inside. When I got up to them, I really didn’t have to check my horse much, because there was just enough room.”

Now with a clear path and gaining with less than a quarter of a mile to go, luck would be on Cherry Tree Luke’s side.

“Mario’s Be Happy, as it would work out, wasn’t able to keep up to Cast British (Rick Plano), which allowed me to slide out behind Cast British into the lane, and I had a lot of horse.”

Angling three-wide with less than 3-16ths of a mile to go, Lackey would urge his charge and got the response he wanted.

“When I urged him, knowing that’s he’s a very good finisher, I thought I’d be first or second as he was trotting nicely.”

Surging into the lead just past the seven-eighths-mile pole with TV Mom now closing on the outside, Cherry Tree Luke would never let his main foe get close as he’d nicely hold firm by 1-1/2 lengths. Owned by Clint Lugar and trained by Lou Pena, Cherry Tree Luke, in recording his 22nd career victory, stopped the timer at 1:58.3.

“The difference, perhaps, was that he had a shorter journey than TV Mom, plus he had a little jump on her at the top of the stretch — which all worked to our advantage. He, however, is a hard trying horse that shows up every week. It was a good effort combined with good luck,” Lackey finished.

TV Mom was second best, and London Calling (Rich Wojcio) finished another 2-3/4 lengths back in third.

Live racing resumes at Cal-Expo tonight (Thursday), continuing through Saturday. Post time on Thursday is at 6:15 p.m. (PDT). Post time on Friday and Saturday is at 6:30 p.m. On Thursday, Cal-Expo offers Fiesta Thursdays, in which fans can enjoy $2.00 frozen margaritas and tacos!

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