by Scott Ehrlich, publicity director, Sacramento Harness Association

Sacramento, CA — He may have lost a step or two since his younger days, but you wouldn’t have known it on Thursday night (Feb. 22), as I’m Dam Goog scored for the 89th time in his fabulous career.

Trotters were in the spotlight at Cal-Expo, where two divisions of conditioned events were contested, with the purse for each at $5,300, in which the classy veteran I’m Dam Goog strutted his stuff.

Prior to starting from post position six in the field of ten in the second division, trainer and driver Ed Hensley knew to expect a lot, despite I’m Dam Goog being off two weeks.

“This was about as easy as he has been in for a while,” said Cal-Expo’s leading driver. “He had a week off, but he has always been good with a week off, plus he trained very well. I thought he was the one to beat. As far as my strategy, I really didn’t want to leave with him, but there wasn’t much gate speed in the race. When I looked over behind the gate and saw that nobody was leaving, combined with the fact that I Look Special had made a break a sixteenth of a mile plus to the start, that helped me because I figured she could have been one of the ones that was going to leave, so I left.”

Leaving sharply to gain the lead just before the field had traveled 3-16th of a mile, I’m Dam Goog would own a two length lead at the quarter pole, timed in :29.2.

“I thought the first quarter was pretty fair, plus with the wind at our back going up the backside, I thought the second quarter could go faster, but it would be easier because of the tailwind.”

Having to deal with a parked-out lead seeking Hanover County (Rick Kuebler) midway through the second quarter, Hensley would yield the lead past the 7-16th pole, but was not concerned.

“Hanover County was coming hard, plus my horse is easy to shut off and start up, so I wasn’t reluctant to yield.”

Right back out to the half-mile pole, timed in :58.4, I’m Dam Goog would make the lead once again, this time just past the 9-16th pole, while Hensley continued not to worry.

“I wasn’t concerned because he still hadn’t been used hard.”

Chasing after his charge a bit after having reclaimed the lead, Hensley simply wanted to keep the 12-year-old on his toes.

“I just wanted him to stay in gear, as I felt if he kept on trotting, that they weren’t going to beat him.”

Trotting nicely through the final turn, I’m Dam Goog reached the three-quarter pole in 1:28.4, with Hensley feeling even more confident after the :30 third quarter breather.

“He felt strong, plus there wasn’t anyone coming at us. Still, I popped his earplugs around that point and he continued to trot well.”

Under a high-line with just less than 3-16th of a mile to go, then under whip tap urging to the seven-eighths pole, the old-timer would respond by drawing away by 2-1/2 lengths at mid-stretch, at which point Hensley put his whip over his shoulder, as the Gregg Pistochini owned gelding would score by a decisive 2-3/4 lengths.

“He was good, and is on the way back once again,” concluded Hensley.

Iverman (Jim Lackey) closed fast late to finish in second, and Hanover County finished an additional length back in third.

In the first division, Homestead Branded (Tim Maier) was strong in victory, as he recorded his third in a row.

Owned by Mike McDanel and trained by Kennedy Lindsey, the 4-year-old, who raced first-over, won by 1-1/4 lengths in 1:57.2, a lifetime best. Final Choice (Gilbert Herrera) finished in second, and Jess Or No (Ed Hensley) finished another 1-1/4 lengths farther back in third.

Live racing will resume at Cal-Expo on Friday and continue through Saturday. Post time on Friday for a special 16-race card is at 5:00 p.m. Post time on Saturday is at 5:35 p.m. On Friday, Cal-Expo offers Happy Hour between 5:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m., where $1 Beer, $2 Wine and 25 Cent Buffalo Wings are offered.

Cal-Expo now offers guaranteed $10,000 pools on all Pick-4’s and the New Pick-5!