by Mark Ratzky, publicity, Cal Expo Harness

Sacramento, CA — Jessesjo has turned in two big efforts at this Cal Expo meeting following a 17-month layoff, finishing second to El Azteca on both occasions, but won’t have that rival to worry about when he suits up for Sunday’s (Nov. 29) featured Open II Trot.

Jessesjo is an 8-year-old son of Jailhouse Jesse who is owned by Mark Anderson and races out of the Gordie Graham barn. He has really impressed his veteran pilot Chip Lackey, who had never sat behind the trotter before his Oct. 24 qualifier.

“I was told he was returning from an injury and a long layoff and to see how he finished,” Lackey related. “I have to tell you, I’ve driven some very nice trotters, but I’ve never had one give me the acceleration he did in that qualifier.”

After easily capturing a second qualifier, Jessesjo has completed the exacta behind course-loving El Azteca in two clashes at the head of the class. He actually showed the way to deep stretch before getting collared in their meeting two weeks ago, then sat the pocket behind that rival at most recent asking through some pedestrian fractions and once again had to be happy with second money.

“He made a little break at the start in that first race, but it was mostly my fault because I tried to rush him away from there,” Chip explained. “Last time, I took a little hold for the first few steps to let him settle and he was away perfectly.”

El Azteca, who was leaving from the assigned No. 10 post for the second straight time, was able to make the top by the half in a crawling 1:01 for Luke Plano, with the pocket-sitting Jessesjo trying hard but unable to cut into the margin in the stretch.

“We got bottled up and never really got a clear shot, and he did come home in :26 and change,” Lackey said. “You can’t ask for more than that.”

There will be a 10-race program presented under the Watch and Watch LLC banner with the headliner going as the sixth event. First post will be 6:10 p.m. (PST).