by Mark Ratzky, publicity, Cal-Expo

Sacramento, CA — Claudius Augustus is pretty busy these days, as in addition to his training and racing at Cal Expo, the classy trotter is shuffling off to the Desomer Farm on a frequent basis for stallion duty.

Claudius Augustus, who is unbeaten in three starts this year, is just shy of $270,000 in earnings and sports a sparkling 1:53.3 career standard that was established two years ago. The 7-year-old carries the banner of Debra Budahn with Bob Johnson the conditioner, and this unusual schedule is nothing new for the trainer.

“I went through this with Givemewhatineed for two seasons,” Johnson explained. “You just learn to work the schedule around it. I’ll tell you one thing, he’s making more noise around the barn these days, and when it’s time to leave, he knows what it’s all about now and really perks up.”

The roster of mares who have, or will be visiting Claudius Augusutus this season, is pretty impressive. Included in this group is Jack Coffey’s Firey Star, a daughter of B J’s Superstar who is a 100 percent producer of stakes winners.

Rick and Maryann Plano have sent Simply Royal, by Donerail, the dam of Thatssomebracciola and Franky Provolone; while Walt and Patty Peterson are breeding their popular California champion Kimmie Girl.

Tim and Denise Maier, in partnership with Desomer Stables, are visiting the court of Claudius Augustus with Smooth Jazz, the champion pacing-bred trotter by Tulane who banked over $100,000; and Cherry Tree Salome, a Donerail offspring.

Team Desomer is also sending Charlotte’s Web, a California Sire Stakes divisional leader by Website; and Ahh Saundra, who banked more than $100,000 in her career and was a champion divisional leader. Katie Scott has Geadingurl, Frey Star and Champolina; while trainer Johnson is breeding Skeeter Repellant.

Sire Stakes in Saturday spotlight

Two $15,000 California Sire Stakes for the 3-year-old colts, headed by Shamderock and Lodi Nickolus, are on tap Saturday evening (April 23) at Cal Expo. Both stakes will go as non-betting events prior to the regular program.

Shamderock is a homebred son of Hi Ho Silverheel’s who carries the banner of D&E Racing Inc. with Rick Plano reining and training. He has swept the first five stakes races for the pacing colts, leaving little doubt on any of those occasions.

The Plano representative absolutely crushed his rivals in the first big-money clash of the season two weeks ago, brushing to command at the half and then drawing off in the stretch for a 14 length romp, then came back last week to capture a conditioned event while lowering his lifetime standard to 1:54.4 in the process.

Challenging Shamderock will be four members of the Vickie Desomer barn. Achy Breaky Art will be guided by Steve Wiseman; Spoons has Lemoyne Svendsen; Millions will be driven by Tim Maier; and Steve Desomer calls the shots with No Strings.

The trotting Sire Stakes will match Lodi Nickolus (Pierre Girard) against I’m So Sulky (Steve Desomer); Final Chapter (Rich Wojcio); and Haveadrink On Me (Rick Plano).

Live racing resumes at Cal Expo on Thursday (April 21) and continues through Saturday (April 23). Post time on Thursday is 5:30 p.m. (PDT). Post time on Friday and Saturday is 6 p.m. On Saturday nights, the guaranteed gross pool for the Late Pick 4 has been increased to $15,000. Both the Early and Late Pick 4 on Saturdays have a reduced 15 percent takeout, with a bonus payout of 17.65 percent for winning Late Pick 4 tickets played on track at Cal Expo or at TwinSpires.com.