by Mark Ratzky, publicity department, Sacramento Harness Association

Sacramento, CA — N V Warlord, who has fired bullets in his last four starts, coming away with two wins and two solid seconds, looks like the one to beat in Thursday night’s (January 24) main event at Cal-Expo.

The $4,800 contest is designed for trotters carrying base claiming prices of $12,000 down to $8,000, and N V Warlord will once again do his work from the outside slot in the field of six.

Rocky Stidham reins and trains the son of N V Worthy for Michael Brown and it’s hard to fault the efforts this one has been turning in of late. He closed out his 2007 campaign with a nice victory, as he got some class relief to this level while a game first-over winner for Stidham.

N V Warlord had to settle for a second-place check in his next two starts as the public choice before relocating the charmed circle in last week’s try. He sat back early in that affair, came with a powerful brush at the half to gain a clear lead on the final turn, then went on to a two length score in a 1:57.4 mile.

Cherry Tree Luke completed the exacta and will be looking for some revenge while going from the cozy rail post. Jim Lackey guides the 8-year-old, who carries the banner of Clint Lugar and is conditioned by Lou Pena. He had seven wins, 11 runner-up finishes and 10 thirds from his 44 trips to the post last year and has a win, second and third from three starts this season.

Cherry Tree Luke got the victory two back as a 9-1 shot. Lackey was able to save ground while sitting a tracking trip to the lane, found room to angle out at mid-stretch and was up by a nose over N V Warlord. Last week, he finished well to cut into that one’s margin, but had to be happy with the second money.

Jade’s Crown and Howwildoyawantme give the Rick Plano stable two shots at the outcome. Rick will guide the former, who races for wife Mary Ann, while son Luke handles Howwildoyawantme, who goes about her business for daughter Erica.

Jade’s Crown has been right there in his three appearances on the year, notching a win at this level over a sloppy track on January 3, while his stablemate lost all chance last week when she made a break at the start.

Rounding out the field is London Calling, who will have Tim Maier at the controls; and Jam And Jelly, to be guided by Ed Hensley.

A 10-race card is on tap, with the feature set as the second on the program.

Nothing fishy about this pacer

After a series of frustrating efforts that found her completing the exacta behind win-machine Cam’s Gidget, there was some revenge last week for Fishy’s Sushi and regular pilot James Kennedy.

Despite the fact that the 2-5 favorite got the jump on her, Fishy’s Sushi kicked in with a :27.2 final quarter to nail Cam’s Gidget right on the wire. In the process, she established a career standard with the 1:54.3 final clocking.

“She’s my favorite horse, no question about it,” said driver Kennedy when asked about Edwin Quevado’s 6-year-old pacer. “She’s as easy a horse as you could ever ask to drive, she doesn’t pull or anything, and the outside post doesn’t bother her because she just likes to drop back and wait to come up on the train.”

Despite the fact that she won nine times last season, the Raul Escobedo trainee came into last week’s assignment having followed Cam’s Gidget home in their previous six meetings. She was third over behind that one on the final bend, and Kennedy admits he would have been much happier to be on her back, rather than have a mare in between at that point.

“I didn’t think I was going to get her until about the sixteenth, when my mare really kicked it in. We had switched her from a blind bridle to a pull-up blind bridle, which gave her more sight, and I think that really helped.”

Both of these hard-knocking mares are back in action in Thursday evening’s (January 24) seventh race, where they depart from the outside slots in the cast of nine while renewing what has become quite a rivalry.

Come out Saturday night and celebrate a California legend, as Rick Kuebler plans to retire at the conclusion of what promises to be a very special program. With his next win, Kuebler will reach 4,284 victories, equaling the mark of his idol Joe O’Brien.

Live racing will resume at Cal-Expo on Thursday (January 24) and continue through Sunday (January 27). 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!

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