by Scott Ehrlich, publicity director, Sacramento Harness Association

Sacramento, CA — It took him a while to get the lead, and his tank was starting to dwindle with a quarter of a mile to go, but Ivegotwhatuneed dug down and prevailed.

The $25,000 Golden Bear Stake for Diamond Harness Alliance pacing 4-year-old horses and geldings was co-featured on Saturday night (March 17) at Cal-Expo, in which Ivegotwhatuneed proved too tough.

Before starting from post position four in the field of six, driver Jim Lackey knew his horse was one of the horses to beat.

“He looked like he was about one of three horses that had a chance,” said Lackey. “I knew for sure that I had to leave the gate and go forward early, then see how things developed.”

Floating out very softly and moving up on the outside in the first turn, Ivegotwhatuneed would move to within 1-1/4 lengths of the lead while second at the quarter-mile pole, timed in :27.3. Was Lackey concerned?

“No, because he has shown that he can be used a little and still have a chance.”

Not clearing the lead until past the 5-16th-mile marker, Lackey conceded that some energy from his pacer had been used.

“The lead was tough enough, but he has quite a bit of heart.”

Reaching the half-mile pole, timed in :56.2, Lackey was upbeat.

“The half-mile time was okay and he felt alright. I felt at that point that my chances were as good as anybodys.”

Receiving no pressure in the third-quarter, Lackey let Ivegotwhatuneed dictate the pace.

“I let my horse do his thing. He keeps on going, but sets the right pace — which is good considering I Am So Glad (Rich Wojcio) was in the pocket behind me — and he has a very good punch on the end of a mile. So you wouldn’t want to go too fast before the stretch-drive because it’s only going to give I Am So Glad a better chance.”

Pacing smartly through the final turn, Ivegotwhatuneed tripped the three-quarter timer at 1:25.1, with Lackey now having reduced the field of challengers.

“At that point, it looked like I Am So Glad would be the main danger. My horse, however, was now a little bit tired, but I knew he would give me his best effort — we just had to see if it would be enough.”

With the field now turned for home, I Am So Glad quickly popped out of the pocket, which prompted Lackey to pop the earplugs of his charge.

“I Am So Glad got about dead even with me, and of course, I was concerned, but my horse doesn’t quit.”

With I Am So Glad appearing about ready to take the lead at the seven-eighths-mile pole, he would start to drift out — which appeared to prove very costly, all while Ivegotwhatuneed fought back at mid-stretch to reclaim a short lead.

“This was the second start off of a layoff for I Am So Glad, and perhaps if he had one more start in him, it might have been the difference between him and my horse winning. But, with him drifting out, that kind of was an indication that he was getting tired. So, if he hadn’t been tired, he would have stayed straight and could have won.”

Owned by Southwind Farm and trained by Bob Johnson, Ivegotwhatuneed would hold on to win by three-quarters of a length, in 1:53.4. I Am So Glad had to settle for second, and Deep Red (Rocky Stidham) finished another three-quarters of a length farther back in third.

“He always gives 100 percent, maybe more — it was a game effort. I was glad he was able to win. I like this horse a lot and I’m always very happy to win a race with him, especially with the nice purse we had tonight,” Lackey concluded.

4-year-old Diamond Harness Alliance horse and gelding trotters were also co-featured in the $25,000 Golden Gopher Stake, in which Jess Or No took full advantage of the unluckiness of others.

Owned by Jessica Hensley, and trained and driven by her husband, Ed, Jess Or No would sit a pocket trip until the top of the stretch, then would pass a breaking British Spirit (Tim Maier) on his way to a 12 length triumph ($5.20) in 1:59.1. British Spirit would eventually get back on his proper gait and finish in second, and Mighty Kicker (Luke Plano) would finish a distant third, 24 lengths behind the winner.

Heavily favored Homestead Branded (Bruce Clarke), sent off at odds of 2-5, would switch over to the pace in the first turn before going into a gallop before the quarter-mile pole, thus eliminating himself.

Invitational Handicap pacers mixed it up for a purse of $9,200, in which Love Shark won nicely.

Owned by Mary Ann Plano and trained by her husband, Rick, Love Shark, driven by their son, Luke, would close nicely after leaving to win by a half length in 1:53.2, a seasonal best and his 25th career victory. The Pand Illusion, also owned by Mary Ann Plano, and trained and driven by Rick Plano, finished in second, and Areyouinorout (Ed Hensley) raced well while first-over to finish 1-1/4 lengths farther back in third.

Live racing resumes at Cal-Expo on Wednesday, March 21, continuing through Saturday. Post time each night is at 5:35 p.m. (PDT). On Wednesday, fans can wager into the $25,000 guaranteed Bal-Cal Pick 4 challenge. Additionally on Wednesdays, admission is free, plus Cal-Expo offers a complete Lasagna dinner, with salad and bread, for just $2.00.

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