by Mark Ratzky, publicity, Cal-Expo

Sacramento, CA — Cat Call will be going for the hat trick in Saturday’s (Nov. 27) sixth race at Cal Expo, having parlayed back-to-back golden trips into victories for owner Jennifer Sabot, trainer Lester Smith and driver Luke Plano.

“We purchased him privately at the end of September, and he’s more than earned that money back,” related Smith when asked about the 4-year-old Power Of Art pacer. He leaves from the No. 3 post in Saturday’s line-up.

Call Cat sat the pocket and won in a lifetime-best 1:54.1 two weeks ago, then stepped up a notch for his most recent appearance over a sloppy track and got the job done once again by a head after a pocket journey.

“The morning of that last race I was concerned about the off track, but the more the day went on, the more convinced I became that he could handle any kind of going,” his mentor said. “He’s very sharp right now.”

Smith realizes the water is deeper this weekend, as Rick Plano sends out a classy pair in Cowboy Hanover and Living It Up, who have been suiting up in the Open ranks.

“Cowboy Hanover is the one to beat, no doubt about it, and we’ll be trying to work out another good trip and come home strong.”

Sire Stakes on tap Saturday

A pair of $15,000 Sire Stakes featuring Hi Ho Steverino and Franks Best are in the spotlight at Cal Expo on Saturday night (Nov. 27). The two stakes races will go as non-betting affairs prior to the regular program.

Hi Ho Steverino has established himself at the head of the sophomore pacing colt division by capturing both of the stakes events this fall. The Hi Ho Silverheel’s homebred races for Rod Knittel, is conditioned by Rick Plano and will once again have Luke Plano at the controls.

The bay performer made it look easy in the first added-money gathering at the meet for this group as he made every pole a winning one and came to the line with a length and three-quarters to spare over Lily’s Hi Ho. Things were a lot tougher in the most recent stakes clash two weeks ago, however, as Hi Ho Steverino opened a commanding lead turning for home, then just held by a head over that same rival in a lifetime-best 1:54.2 clocking.

Lily’s Hi Ho is another son of Hi Ho Silverheel’s who is owned and trained by Bob Johnson and has Lemoyne Svendsen in the sulky. He was shuffled midway in that last big-money contest, then came flying in the stretch with a :27.2 final quarter to narrowly miss. He is dangerous no matter how things shake out early.

Franks Best has been the leader of the 3-year-old trotting colts for most of the period since the added-money races got underway, and after suffering a loss in the first stakes at this session, he returned to his winning ways with a romp over his peers two weeks. The Bob Johnson owned/trained/bred performer has now passed the $70,000 earnings plateau.

Big Baller upset him in a strong mile for the Oct. 30 stakes score and was runner-up last time after carving out all the fractions. The Desomer Stables homebred is conditioned by Vickie Desomer and has Steve Desomer at the controls.

Live racing resumes at Cal Expo on Friday (Nov. 26) at 5:45 p.m. (PST) and on Saturday (Nov. 27) at 5:40 p.m.