by Mark Ratzky, publicity, Cal Expo Harness

Sacramento, CA — The first California Sire Stakes of the Cal Expo meeting saw King Of The Crop picking up right where he left off during the spring, posing for pictures as he added another trophy to the mantle for his owner/breeder Frank Nevarez.

The 3-year-old pacing son of Little Steven, who is now conditioned by Gordie Graham, was driven for the first time in evening action by Bruce Clarke and got the job done in game, first-over fashion despite making his initial start since late June at Balmoral Park.

“I got King Of The Crop at the end of August,” Graham informed. “He’s a nice, quiet and laid back horse with a touch of class. I was able to get two qualifiers into him and then he was going to make a start before the stakes, but he had a little mucus and we had to scratch.”

Despite missing a start that could have had him nice and tight for the stakes engagement, King Of The Crop did not disappoint his many backers while prevailing by a length over Tony Cheesecake in last week’s stakes clash.

“I was actually surprised so many horses fired out of there at the start, but the quarter was only :29,” Graham said. “Bruce said he didn’t want to go to the front, so he was pretty patient with him in the early going. It all worked out.”

Graham, who currently has 10 performers for Nevarez, is looking ahead with this pacer and likes what he sees.

“There are three more Sire Stakes races, but they’re somewhat spread out so we’ll be racing him sparingly. I think he could turn out to be a very nice horse down the road.”

A 12-race card is on tap this Saturday at Cal Expo with first post set for 6:10 p.m. A reminder that the trotters and pacers are now in action on Saturday and Sunday nights, with Friday racing being added to the schedule beginning on Dec. 26.

There are now four wagers here each night that feature a reduced 16 percent takeout rate. They are the 50 cent Pick-5, the Jackpot 6, the Pick-4 and the Hi-5 on the nitecap.