by Mark Ratzky, publicity, Cal-Expo

Sacramento, CA — If you’re keeping track, Eyesight was making her 158th career appearance a winning one last weekend at Cal-Expo for the combination of owner Phyllis Crescenti, trainer Richard Dunneback and pilot Rick Plano.

Eyesight is an 8-year-old daughter of Ball And Chain and the French Chef mare Eyesore who was bred in Pennsylvania. She has landed in the winner’s circle 17 times, with another 21 seconds and 21 thirds, and she set her 1:53.3 mark over this track three years ago.

There has been quite a bit of real estate traveled between last week’s local tally and her first score back in October of 2003 over the Colonial Downs layout, with Dunneback having conditioned the mare since March of 2006.

“We bought her privately and in her third start for us, she won a $15,000 claimer and went that 1:53 and change mile,” Dunneback related. “In her very next start, she caught a muddy track and pulled a muscle, and she’s never really been the same. She still has the desire, though.”

Eyesight was away from the wars from late December until June 26, and the third start back from the vacation proved to be the charm with Plano doing the track-and-attack to perfection for the two length score.

“Tim (Maier) gave her a great drive the week before, but she was still short, and then Rick did a super job with her last time. She likes a firm track and has to be handled just right on the turns.”

Dunneback noted that soon after he got Eyesight, he contacted her breeders to see if there were any more at home like this gal.

“They were a couple of veterinarians out of Ohio who were breeding the mare for the Pennsylvania stakes program, and it turned out she had died the previous year.”

While a trip to the breeding shed is likely somewhere down the road, for the time being the Crescenti color-bearer will attempt to make the move up the $3,000 claiming alphabet. You can count on this gal to give everything she has, just like she’s been doing ever since the purchase six years ago.

Armbro Scribe is leaving his mark

Looking over the stakes nominations for the 2-year-old trotters, the late Armbro Scribe is certainly well represented as the sire of 11 of the 22 youngsters.

Armbro Scribe passed away last fall at the age of 12. The son of King Conch won 40 of his 226 starts while facing top-class competition throughout his career, banking $433,000 and establishing a 1:55.2 mark at the Meadowlands as a 4-year-old.

“Armbro Scribe was a horse with a lot of class,” said his trainer Jim Perez. “In his prime, he was one of the best in California. He was a true professional, and for me, after 20 years of training, is certainly one of my favorite horses. His gait and attitude were flawless and he was a trainer’s dream. Knowing he was in my shedrow made coming to the barn every morning a real pleasure.”

Vickie Desomer has several of Armbro Scribe’s youngsters under her care and was asked about the outstanding trotter and his offspring.

“Armbro Scribe was easy to handle, good gaited and enjoyed longevity in a business where participants are often short-lived,” she said. “He seems to have passed on his good gait, but I can’t classify his offspring as easy to handle. Many of them have extreme speed, but suffer from breaking problems. I am looking for that one outstanding trotter by Scribe who will help us remember a very good athlete.”

The big-money events for the 2-year-old trotters and pacers are scheduled to get underway in the fall, and we just might see that special son or daughter surface.

Handicapping contest on the horizon

Coming to a satellite facility or racetrack near you this weekend is the kick-off of the Cal-Expo Harness Racing Handicapping event, featuring $20,000 in prize money with $10,000 going to the winner.

Qualifying rounds will take place on July 18 and 25 (July 17 and 24 at Los Alamitos), with the final round set for August 1.

Please check with your local satellite wagering facility for details.

Participating California facilities are Bakersfield, Barona, Cal-Expo, Fresno, Fresno Club One, Hollywood Park (7/17 and 7/24), Lancaster, Los Alamitos (7/17 and 7/24), Monterey, Pleasanton, San Bernardino, National Orange Show, San Jose, San Mateo, Santa Rosa, Vallejo, and Ventura.