by Mark Ratzky, publicity, Cal-Expo

Sacramento, CA — After knocking heads with the likes of Myra’s Hiho, Haggin Oaks and Ivegotwhatuneed, Nathalie Tremblay’s Cycle Power got some class relief last week at Cal Expo and responded with a sharp score with James Kennedy giving directions.

The 5-year-old son of Cambest, who is both owned and trained by Tremblay, actually kicked off the current meet with a 7-1 upset off the bench while doing his work at the head of the class. In the interim, however, he had to be happy with minor awards at that top rung before getting back to the circle at most recent asking.

“That is a pretty solid group he’s been going with every week,” said Tremblay. “This is the first time he’s been eligible to drop in class since winning his first start at the meet, so we wanted to take advantage of it. As it was, I thought the race came up pretty tough for the level, but James gave him a great drive and he got the job done.”

Now it’s back into the frying pan for Cycle Power, as he leaves from the No. 2 post in Friday’s (Dec. 9) co-feature, which goes as the second race on the evening. With Kennedy guiding his own trainee Haggin Oaks, who clicked at this level last week, the Tremblay performer will have Steve Wiseman calling the shots.

Completing the cast are Myra’s Hiho with Jim Lackey in the sulky; Ivegotwhatuneed, who will have the services of Lemoyne Svendsen; and Marlin Hanover, who has the inside slot with Luke Plano giving directions.

Filly Sire Stakes get marquee treatment at Cal Expo

A pair of $15,000 California Sire Stakes for the sophomore pacing and trotting fillies have center stage here Friday evening, with Dine N Wine looming large among the pacers while Thatssomebracciola and Flea Flicker figure to get plenty of attention in the trotting affair.

Dine N Wine is a homebred daughter of Power Of Art and the New Zealand mare Bordeaux Franco N who carries the banner of Desomer Stables Inc. with Vickie Desomer the conditioner and Steve Wiseman handling the lines. She is eyeing her third straight stakes decision.

In the most recent big-money clash two weeks ago, she proved a punctual 4-5 favorite as Wiseman made what proved to be the winning brush to command at the half. Dine N Wine had a length advantage in the stretch, then held safe by a head over 40-1 shot Vantage in the 1:56 mile.

Set to take her on are Racetrack Diva with Luke Plano; Vantage, Tony Succarotte; Hi Fidelity for Scott Cisco; Poor House, to be guided by James Kennedy; Math Whiz, Lemoyne Svendsen; and Whip And A Prayer with Rich Wojcio.

Looking at the trotting event, Thatssomebracciola will attempt to win her third stakes at the meeting for owner/breeder Rick Plano and driver/trainer Luke Plano. The Armbro Scribe offspring sat the pocket and won the first added-money gathering of the fall on Oct. 28, had to settle for third in the next stakes, then was a decisive first-over victress in the most recent stakes match-up as the second choice.

Flea Flicker was the 3-2 favorite in that affair and had to settle for the second money. Mark Anderson owns, trains and bred this daughter of Armbro Variable and Rich Wojcio will again be in the sulky. They joined forces to be an easy winner of the Nov. 11 Sire Stakes and have been runner-up in the other two stakes get-togethers for this group.

Completing the field are Eggwhite Inmy Beer, James Kennedy; Claim Jumper with Steve Wiseman; Dancinwiththedevil, Lemoyne Svendsen; and Chaxie, to be driven by Scott Cisco.

Live racing resumes at Cal Expo on Thursday (Dec. 8) at 5:30 p.m. (PST) and continues on Friday (Dec. 9) and Saturday (Dec. 10) at 6 p.m.