by Scott Ehrlich, publicity director, Sacramento Harness Association

Sacramento, CA — The original game plan was aborted at the start, but that turned out to be good news for Keystone Eli and bad news for his opponents.

The best horses on the grounds at Cal-Expo, racing in a $9,000 Open Handicap I Pace, were featured on Saturday night (August 25), in which Keystone Eli returned to his winning ways.

Prior to starting from post position three in the field of six, driver Rick Kuebler talked about his charge and how he raced after being off a month and a half.

“He’s definitely one of the best horses in the race if he is on his game, but he did act like he needed the start last week,” said Kuebler. “His owner Hei Mitchell, his trainer Bob Johnson, and I, were hoping that between the qualifier and his race last week, that he would be returning to form.

“Strategy this week, with speed from Biggest Big Bertha (John Chappell) from post one, and possible speed on the outside — had me planning to duck him at the start. When the gate opened though and I looked to my right, I saw that nobody was on the gate. Then after the gate left I could see that Biggest Big Bertha was being restrained — which said to me that her driver John Chappell’s strategy was to get a two hole trip behind me. As a result, I was happy to oblige by leaving and getting an easy lead.”

An easy lead would be an understatement as Keystone Eli, once getting the lead after a sixteenth of a mile, would stroll to the quarter in a remarkably slow :30.2.

“The quarter was surely slow for that class, but it was certainly to his advantage. I felt if I could get to the half unchallenged while getting another breather — that he should be able to pace a fast last half and hopefully reach.”

Pacing a quicker second quarter, but still getting to the half-mile pole in a walking :59, Kuebler continued to have strategy in mind.

“I picked up the pace slightly to dissuade anyone from pulling in the second quarter, but the first half was still cheap — which made my chances increasingly better.”

Picking up the tempo as expected into the final turn, Keystone Eli wouldn’t receive a challenge until Biggest Big Bertha pocket pulled just to the three-quarter-mile marker, timed in 1:26.2.

“I had picked up the pace on the turn, but when Biggest Big Bertha tipped — I opened my horse up for all he had. I felt at the three-quarters that he should be able to pace a big quarter from there and should be hard to overhaul.”

In full gear entering the stretch, Kuebler still had one more weapon to use on his foes.

“I popped the earplugs to the seven-eighths and he responded by continuing to pace a big final quarter, all while Biggest Big Bertha would just never be able to get by his wheel.”

Holding firm throughout the stretch drive while under urging, Keystone Eli would score ($7.80) by 1-1/4 lengths, in 1:54.3.

“We were happy with the second effort back and hoping that he’s returning to his top form,” Kuebler finished.

Little Stevie (Gilbert Herrera) would close late to just get up for second, and Biggest Big Bertha would finish just a nose back in third. The 3-5 favorite, Pacing Artist (Rick Plano), who went into the race with a four-race win streak, was the victim of the pace, as well as position, and was never a threat while finishing last.

In a $7,000 Open Handicap II Pace, The Pand Illusion took advantage of a second-over trip to win ($23.00) by a half-length for trainer/driver Rick Plano. Owned by Plano’s wife, Mary Ann, The Pand Illusion would stop the timer at 1:54.3. Heavily favored Real Pro K (Luke Plano), who raced first-over, finished in second, and Hippity Hop (Tim Maier) finished another 1-3/4 lengths farther back in third.

Live racing resumes at Cal-Expo on Wednesday (August 29), continuing through Saturday. Post time on Wednesday and Thursday is 6:15 p.m. (PDT). Post time on Friday and Saturday is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. On Wednesday, fans can wager into the $25,000 guaranteed Bal-Cal Pick 4 Challenge. Also on Wednesday, 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!