by Scott Ehrlich, publicity director, Sacramento Harness Association

Sacramento, CA — There was no doubt in the co-featured events at Cal-Expo on Wednesday (November 28) who the best horses were.

Two divisions of conditioned-claiming pacers, each racing for a purse of $3,100, shared top billing in the racing week opener, in which Class Hall and Split Ticket were much the best.

In the first division, Class Hall, in debuting through a private purchase for Ben Kenney and trainer/driver Rocky Stidham, would make every pole a winning one.

Cutting out fractions of :28, 56.3 and 1:25.3, Class Hall would never have any worries in the lane while on his way to a 1-1/4 length win ($10.60) in 1:53.3, a seasonal best. Long Last Look (Ed Hensley) got a perfect trip to the winner, but was no match while second, and Axelrod (Jim Lackey) finished another three lengths farther back in third.

In the second division, Split Ticket and driver Ed Hensley would make a 5-16ths move after a :28.4 opening quarter to gain the lead after the 7-16ths into a :58 first half.

Reaching the three-quarter pole, timed in 1:26.2, Split Ticket would pour it on from mid-stretch on to romp ($3.00) by 7-1/2 lengths, in 1:54.1, a lifetime best. Pearl City (Jim Lackey) finished in second and Lodi Governor (Steve Wiseman) finished another 1-1/4 lengths farther back in third.

Live racing resumes at Cal-Expo on Thursday (November 29), continuing through Saturday. Post time each night is scheduled for 5:35 p.m. (PST). On Thursday, Cal-Expo offers Fiesta Thursdays, in which fans can enjoy $2.00 frozen margaritas and tacos. Estimated total pool in the Pick-6 (races 4-9) is $25,000.

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