by Scott Ehrlich, publicity director, Sacramento Harness Association

Sacramento, CA — It is said that trotters get better with age, which must be true, as the 11-year-old I’m Dam Goog found himself in the charmed winner’s circle for the 88th time on Wednesday (Nov. 22).

Open l Handicap Trotters, racing for a $7,500 purse, highlighted a pre-Thanksgiving card at Cal-Expo Raceway, in which I’m Dam Goog feasted on his opponents.

Prior to being assigned post position five in the field of ten, trainer and driver Ed Hensley wasn’t sold on his chances.

“I thought he had a fair chance,” said Hensley. “I know he was second last week, but I don’t think he has been as sharp as he could be. My strategy was to most likely duck him because he’s better from the back.”

Coming away in sixth position and remaining in that spot at the quarter-mile pole, timed in :28.4, Hensley was pleased, thus far, but knew his hand could soon be forced.

“I thought they were going pretty good, but I knew I was going to be flushed early because all the good closers were coming from behind me.”

With the tempo of the second quarter-mile slowing down, Splendoriffic (John Mc Keon) surprised many when she was brushed past the 5-16th pole, from fourth, while in quest for the lead, all to the delight of Hensley.

“I loved it! It was a great move for me because it got the race going a little bit.”

Moving to third-over position at the 7-16th pole, then racing second-over past the half-mile pole, timed in :58.1, as Splendoriffic had cleared to the front, Hensley continued to be happy.

“He felt real strong and at that point I actually thought it was going to be hard for them to beat him off the trip I was going to get.”

Gradually moving up through the final turn, Hensley tipped the 11-year-old three-wide at the three-quarter pole, timed in 1:27.1, while only three lengths from the front, but with the very dangerous late closing Oatmeister (Gilbert Herrera) right on his back.

“I knew that not only Oatmeister, who I train, but others like Desperatehousewife (Todd Ratchford) and Phipps (Lou Pena), just to name a few, could trot down the lane. Having said that, my horse felt very strong and I thought he’d be tough to pass.”

With the field now at the top of the stretch and I’m Dam Goog just one length from the lead, Hensley popped the earplugs of his charge and the old pro responded by brushing into the lead to the seven-eighths pole, but while also drifting in.

“Even though he did drift in, it didn’t concern me because he was good and solid and trotting the best he has trotted in a few starts. I saw Oatmeister coming up to the flank of my horse, and I was concerned, but just briefly, and then not much.”

Under just one wheel-disc urge at mid-stretch when his stablemate was appearing to be a winning threat, I’m Dam Goog responded yet again.

“Once we were a sixteenth of a mile from the wire, I knew he wasn’t getting passed.”

Not urged from just past mid-stretch on, I’m Dam Goog nicely held firm to win by one length. Owned by Gregg Pistochini, the son of Googie stopped the timer at 1:56.4. The victory for Hensley was the middle portion of a driving triple. Oatmeister completed the Hensley-trained exacta, and Desperatehousewife closed to finish 1-1/4 lengths farther back in third.

Cal-Expo’s leading driver, Rick Plano, reached a milestone in his driving career on Wednesday night when he guided Rocky Mountaineer to victory. The first place finish for the soon to be 55-year-old (December 10) was his 4,500th career triumph.

Live racing will resume at Cal-Expo on Friday (Nov. 24) and continue through Saturday, as Cal-Expo will be dark on Thursday, Thanksgiving Day. Post time each night is at 5:35 p.m. (PST). On Friday, Cal-Expo offers Happy Hour between 5:30-8:00 p.m., where $1 Beer, $2 Wine and 25 Cent Buffalo Wings are offered.

Guaranteed Late Pick-4 pool every Friday and Saturday

Sacramento Harness Association at Cal-Expo continues to offer a $20,000 (guar.) Late Pick-4 pool every Friday and Saturday, on races nine through twelve.