by Scott Ehrlich, Publicity, Cal-Expo

Sacramento, CA — Freshmen boys were spotlighted at Cal-Expo on Saturday night (November 7) in $15,000 California Sires Stakes action, on which there was no questions asked as to who were the best.

In the first Stake, this for the pacers in a non-wagering event held prior to the races, Dancing Barry made every pole a winning one.

Leaving from post three in the field of four and cutting out fractions of :28.3 and :59.3 before trainer Rick Plano asked a bit to the three-quarter mile pole, the gelding responded and opened up by an expanding two-lengths at the three-quarters, timed in 1:29.4.

Gradually putting more ground between himself and his foes, there was never a doubt in the lane as Dancing Barry scored by 3-1/4-lengths while only very lightly urged. Bred in part by owner Wayne Knittel, Dancing Barry stopped the timer at 1:57.3. Hi Ho Steverino (Luke Plano) finished in second, and Power Broker (Etienne Desomer) finished another 1-3/4 lengths farther back, in third.

“There wasn’t much to it as it was one of those races that went according to plan,” stated Plano. “We went to the front, got the fractions I wanted and was able to come home in :27.4 while my other horse I trained was second. He’s the dominant one until the others colts catch up to him,” concluded Plano.

Trotters were featured on the wagering card, on which the extremely promising Franks Best never took a deep breath.

Accelerating to the lead after a sixteenth of a mile from post-one for Lemoyne Svendsen in the field of five and opening up the lead in the first-turn, the youngster led by three-lengths at the quarter-mile pole, timed in :30.1.

With the field approaching the 5-16ths mile marker, Svendsen took a gentle hold of his charge and Franks Best showed veteran qualities in only his third career start.

“That’s his forte,” noted Svendsen. “When you ask him to go – – he goes. When you ask him to whoa – – he whoa’s.”

Rated in a :33 second-quarter while reaching the half-mile station, timed in 1:03.1, Svendsen had two words for his opponents.

“See ya!”

Re-opening up the lead to the 9-16ths mile pole with every stride, Franks Best lengthened his advantage to four-lengths midway through the final-turn with Svendsen sitting like a statue.

Reaching the three-quarter mile marker, timed in 1:33.2, the lead for Franks Best increased to a half-dozen lengths at the head of the lane.

Coasting home to win by 5-1/2 lengths while completely wrapped up, the gelding scored ($2.60) in 2:03.2. Big Baller (Steve Desomer) finished in second, and Proxy (Tim Maier) finished another 7-1/2-lengths farther back, in third.

“He was a jog-burger and did it very easily. I think he has a tremendous future in front of him,” finished Svendsen.

For breeder, owner and trainer Bob Johnson, the need for oxygen was no longer required.

“I can breathe easier now because he didn’t act up behind the gate like he did two starts ago,” noted Johnson. “He was good last week when he won and trained good this week, but it’s still nerve-wracking with two-year-old trotters.

“He’s a special horse because he’s out of a mare I raced and is named after my wife’s father, who passed away a couple of years ago. He has three more races this year – – then gets turned out until his three-year old campaign. If he behaves himself and everything – – I think he has a very bright future,” concluded Johnson.

Live racing continues at Cal-Expo on Sunday (November 8) at 5:40 p.m. (PST). On Sunday, the popular Bal-Cal Pick-4 Challenge returns. The Bal-Cal Pick Four is a $1 minimum bet offering a $25,000 guaranteed pool and consists of the last two races (Races 11 & 12) from Balmoral and the two races (Races 9 & 10) from Cal Expo. Post-time for the first-leg of the Bal-