Hedaman wins Cal-Expo Trot
May 21, 2004,from Cal-Expo Raceway
Sacramento, CA — Hedaman made it five out of his last six races as he dominated the Invitational Trot at Cal-Expo on Thursday evening, May 20.
Rocky Stidham drove him out of the gate to grab the lead and never looked back, showing his heels to the field in 1:574.
The event carried a purse of $8,500 and only four showed up to race as Armbro Variable was scratched. The public sent JW Dutch Treat off the odds-on choice but, for the second race in a row, he failed to fire and looks to be off his game a wee bit.
The ‘Dutchman’ got a pocket trip with Armbro Scribe sitting third and EJ, who started on the pylons, ending up last. They were single file on the far turn when Todd Ratchford pulled EJ from last and came first up with the lone Cal Bred in the race. He got to Hedaman’s flank at the three-quarters but came a cropper in the stretch and finished last. Richard Wojcio easily got Armbro Scribe past JW Dutch Treat for second.
Rocky Stidham, owns, trains and drove the winner. He is a six-year-old gelding by Program Speed out of the TV Yankee dam Yo Baby. This was his ninth win in 18 starts this year, and if the Kings could shoot as well as that they would be heading to Los Angeles to take on the Lakers instead of Minnesota going to face the Lakers. Hedaman has now earned a bit over $36,250 this year.
Ann’s Nestegg gave the first indication she is going to live up to her name by winning the non-wagering California Sires Stake for three-year-old fillies in 2:023. Ten Fillies lined up for a crack at a piece of the $22,500 purse.
Moonie Svendsen put the winner in fifth from her inside post and was content to sit there until he tipped her out with stalled cover ahead at the half.
Richard Wojcio had Cupid’s Joy on top from the start and Ann’s Nestegg now challenged in the stretch and eventually went on by to win easily. Cupid’s Joy held on for second, newcomer She’s So Tough with Chip Lackey handling the reins was third, Slipintosatin was fourth and Our ATM got the last check.
Jim and Virginia Bagatelos along with Ann Sherren own the winner and Jim Perez trains her. She is by Jonathan Lobell out of the Sacramento dam R Nestegg.