by Scott Ehrlich, publicity director, Sacramento Harness Association

Sacramento, CA — On December 29, 2006, he won a $3,000 claimer. Since then, Deep Red has increased his value by $24,000 and has won 17 races, including another triumph on Friday night (February 1).

Claiming handicap pacers, in to be claimed from $14,000 to $18,000, were featured at Cal-Expo for purse of $5,500, in which Deep Red made almost every pole a winning one.

Leaving from post position seven in the field of the same number for owner/trainer/driver Rocky Stidham, the California bred would clear to the point 3-16ths of a mile past the start into a :28 opening quarter, but Stidham wasn’t concerned.

“It was a comfortable lead, and it lined up like I thought it would, with me on the lead and Mac Jonathan VP (Luke Plano) in the pocket and Schemes (Ed Hensley) in the three hole,” said Stidham.

Getting a second quarter breather of :29 into a :57 first half, Stidham was pleased.

“The half was about what I wanted as I wanted :56 to :57. I thought as long as everybody sat and no one came challenging like last week — that my chances were good.”

Receiving no challenges until Mac Jonathan VP pocket pulled to the three-quarter pole, timed in 1:25.4, Stidham was now preparing his charge for the final quarter.

“I popped his earplugs right around the three-quarters when Mac Jonathan VP came at me, all with the hopes that my horse would respond and be fast enough to out-foot them home.

“I could feel him down the stretch checking out horses on his right and his left and there was a little bit of a concern when I saw Schemes coming up the inside at the sixteenth pole. My horse, however, is very professional and very brave now and I don’t think he was concerned — even though I was.”

Holding on to win ($5.00) by a half length, Deep Red, in winning for the 23rd time in his career, stopped the timer at 1:53.3. Schemes tried hard while finishing in second, and Bob Lee (Lemoyne Svendsen) came on late to finish another three-quarters of a length farther back in third.

“I’m very happy that he raced another good race and that he’s so sharp right now,” Stidham finished.

On the Friday night card, driver Rick Plano recorded his 4,900th career victory when he guided home Cautious Spirit in the second race.

Live racing will resume at Cal-Expo on Saturday (February 2). Post time is at 6:00 p.m. (PST). On Saturday at Cal-Expo, it’s Dollar Night, on which hot dogs, beer, soda, and wine will be sold for one dollar each.

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