by Mark Ratzky, Cal-Expo publicity department

Sacramento, CA — Stars And Sites will be gunning for a little revenge at Cal-Expo in Saturday night’s (April 26) Sire Stakes for the trotting colts, after having shown the way to the stretch two weeks ago, only to have Meringue roll by in the first big-money gathering of the season.

Last year saw Jack Coffey and Traci Camilli’s Website homebred capture two of the four stakes events for the division with Bruce Clarke, and he figures to have more than his share of backers this time around. That last start was only his second appearance on the year, with the other being a victory in mid-March at Monticello Raceway in New York.

Since returning to California, Stars And Sites has been taking his lessons from Todd Ratchford and Jean MacDonell, and while Clarke was scheduled to come in from the East for the drive in that first stake, it was Ratchford who had to substitute.

“Bruce was scheduled to fly in on American Airlines, so needless to say, he couldn’t make it because of the issues American Airlines is having,” Todd explained. “I thought the colt went a real big mile, because we were pushed hard to make the lead outside the winner, then he was sitting on our back to the stretch.

“The shipping takes its toll as well. He’d only been here a couple of weeks going into that race and we were only able to get two training miles into him. We’ve been able to do more with him now, and he also has that race under his belt. He’s a sweetheart, a real nice horse to be around.”

Plans call for Clarke to be reunited with the trotter this weekend, and don’t be surprised if they turn the tables and add a third stakes trophy to the mantle. Meringue has developed into a top-notch performer, but Stars And Sites is the one who figures to move well forward off that last rich dance.

Sire Stakes action continues this weekend

The second round of California Sire Stakes for the 3-year-olds will be decided this weekend at Cal-Expo, with the filly pacers and trotters doing battle on Friday (April 25), while the colt pacers and trotters hold the Saturday evening (April 26) spotlight.

Smooth Jazz is the only member of this group who can boast of a clean sweep to this point, as the daughter of Tulane won all four of the big-money events for the trotting fillies last season and was a romping 11 length victress in the initial stakes gathering of 2008 two weeks ago. A perfect seven-for-seven overall in her career, Smooth Jazz is owned by Denise Maier and is trained and driven by Tim Maier.

Looking at the trotting colts, Meringue is certainly the most improved member of this division and is now perfect in two teamings with driver Luke Plano. The Dawn Evango-owned, Hans Rynningen-trained performer crushed conditioned foes two back, then picked up his initial stakes trophy at next asking while taking the measure of Stars And Sites off a pocket journey.

Trainer Rick Plano looks to have a hammerlock among the pacing colts with Star Time Kid for Alan Kirschenbaum and Sheldon Perry, and Themaninthewindow for daughter Erica representing his shedrow. The latter won three of the four Sire Stakes last year, then flew late to miss by a neck to a streaking Star Time Kid in the initial added-money gathering this season. Star Time Kid returned last weekend to register another impressive decision.

Checking out the pacing fillies, Wooski and My Fanny figure to get the majority of the attention. My Fanny, also from the Plano barn, was unbeaten in six trips to the post as a 2-year-old and took down each of the four stakes events, but was upset by the Jim Wilkinson, Jr. trained Wooski for the big money two weeks ago as that rival was able to work out a garden trip with Rich Wojcio.

Devilish Donnie favored on Thursday

Thursday night’s (April 24) headliner at Cal-Expo finds Devilish Donnie shooting for his seventh win of the year for driver/trainer Rocky Stidham, who co-owns with Clifford Shurman. The race is for pacers carrying base claiming prices of $20,000 down to $15,000 and they vie for a $6,300 purse.

A 7-year-old son of Firm Belief, Devilish Donnie is going in very sharp form at the moment and has found a home at this high-priced claiming level. He did the track-and-attack perfectly to get the job done two weeks ago in a lifetime-best 1:52.2 tour, then came right back to prove a punctual 6-5 choice at his most recent asking.

Live racing will resume at Cal-Expo on Thursday (April 24) and continue through Saturday (April 26). Post time on Thursday is at 6:10 p.m. (PDT). Post time on Friday is at 6:35 p.m. Post time on Saturday is scheduled for 5:35 p.m. On Thursday, Cal-Expo offers a complete lasagna dinner, which includes salad and bread, for just $3.00.

The Pick-6 at Cal-Expo is now a $1 wager.