by Scott Ehrlich, publicity director, Sacramento Harness Association

Sacramento, CA — Pacing fillies and mares, in two $4,400 divisions of claiming handicap action, ranging from $6,000 to $10,000, were featured on Wednesday night (November 14) at Cal-Expo.

In the first division, Maxalax and driver Fern Paquet, Jr. would leave and get into the pocket as the field raced into the first turn, then would find themselves sitting third from the quarter-mile pole until pulling and racing second-over past the middle of the final turn.

Finding herself two lengths behind Sheza Gimmie Girl (Rich Wojcio) at the top of the stretch, Maxalax would start to get closer when Sheza Gimmie Girl didn’t go on when looking good entering the stretch. As a result, Maxalax would close into the lead in deep stretch and draw clear to the wire to win by one length.

Owned by the Bardonia Stable, and trained by Frank Petrelli, Maxalax would stop the timer at 1:55. Sheza Gimmie Girl had to settle for second, and Mid West Hottie (Ed Hensley) finished with a lot of pace, while another 1-1/4 lengths back in third, all while the victim of starting last.

In the second division, a fine drive by Ed Hensley saw Brooklets Kia shed a three-race bridesmaid role.

Leaving from post position eight and dropping in fifth in the middle of the first turn, Hensley would move his charge to the outside just after the field had traveled 7-16ths of a mile.

Approaching the half-mile pole, however, the pair would be pushed three-wide — which forced Hensley to take a big hold of his mare just to get her back into two-wide position.

Now two-wide and third-over past the 9-16th-mile marker, then second-over midway through the final turn, Hensley would eventually move the 6-year-old three-wide for the drive. Forging into the lead at the seven-eighths-mile pole, Brooklets Kia would then hold off the fast closing Cam’s Gidget in deep stretch to win by a head.

Owned by the partnership of Jessica Hensley and Patrick Maloney, the Ed Hensley trained mare would win in 1:54.1, a seasonal best and her 35th career triumph. Cam’s Gidget was flying late but had to settle for second, and Astroglider (Tim Maier) finished another 1-1/4 lengths back in third.

On the card, Hensley had four driving wins.

Live racing resumes at Cal-Expo on Thursday (November 15), continuing through Saturday. Post time each night is scheduled for 5:35 p.m. (PST). On Thursday, Cal-Expo offers Fiesta Thursdays, in which fans can enjoy $2.00 frozen margaritas and tacos.

Cal-Expo offers guaranteed $10,000 pools on all Pick-4’s!