by Mark Ratsky, for Cal-Expo Raceway

Sacramento, CA — With a steady rain falling, the Lake Tahoe Series for the pacing set got underway at Cal-Expo in Sacramento on Friday night, February 6, with Pickaberry Ice Man going coast-to-coast in the first division for Ed Hensley and Perfect Waverly coming from off the pace to take the other heat for Steve Wiseman.

There will be a second leg decided next week, then the top 10 money earners will meet in the $20,000 finale on February 20.

Pickaberry Ice Man turned his division into pretty much a one-horse affair, as he was parked to the lead in a :29¹ quarter, then took complete control and was never seriously menaced from that point. He passed the half in :59², three-quarters in 1:29³ and came home with a sparkling :27 flat final quarter to prevail by three lengths.

Hensley co-owns the Cherry Jeans offspring with Patrick Maloney and Barry Moore of Sacramento and it was the gelding’s second win from six appearances this year. He returned $5.80 as the second choice in the wagering.

Falcon Forte left for position inside the winner and sat second all the way for Rocky Stidham, while 6-5 favorite Nightmareonelm was in a stalking position in third to the lane and was unable to make up any ground while checking in third for Richard Wojcio.

The track had gone from good to sloppy by the time they reached the gate for the other Lake Tahoe division and Perfect Waverly appeared to love the off going as the 2-1 second choice for driver/trainer Wiseman and owner Linda Stanich of nearby Elk Grove.

Out with second-over cover going to the final behind favorite Leavnona Jateplane, the son of Perfect Art swung out three deep into the stretch and finished powerfully to have a two length advantage on Ohaka Lazer while stopping the clock in 1:57¹. On Eagles Wings finished willingly for the show spot.

Perfect Waverly was a 10-time winner last season from 33 outings and was clicking for the second time from five trips to the post this year.