by Scott Ehrlich, publicity director, Sacramento Harness Association

On paper it looked like Sintillating was a “free-square,” but as the saying goes–“that’s why they race the race,” and I Need A Miracle was plenty glad they did.

Two divisions of $22,500 California Sires Stakes were contested at Cal-Expo on Friday night (April 27) for sophomore fillies on both gaits, in which I Need A Miracle upset on the pacing side.

Before starting from post-position six in the field of a half-dozen, driver Rick Kuebler got confirmation about the filly, who he driving for the first time.

“I knew, and was also told by trainer Jim Wilkinson, Jr., and by driver Rich Wojcio, who had driven her before, that she was a very nice filly to drive, with a big burst of speed,” said Kuebler. “The strategy, because she’s a sit and sprint horse, was to follow cover until we straightened out in the stretch. I thought she had a chance because of her speed, but we were more likely to finish second or third because Sintillating (Tim Maier) had been dominant.”

With the field nearing the start, Kuebler would see on his left that the 1-9 favorite Sintillating was 1-1/2 lengths off the gate and was being urged.

“I was actually pleased that Sintillating had taken back at the start because I was hoping to either get a second-over trip from her, or hope that she would be used hard early in the race.”

Coming away last and following Sintillating while seven lengths back at the quarter-mile pole, timed in :28.2, Kuebler had no complaints.

“I enjoyed seeing the :28.2 quarter because that was fast and it would set up for horses coming from behind.”

Losing the cover of Sintillating at the 5-16ths mile pole as Sintillating, as pretty much expected, was now out a brushing up for the lead, while being chased after by Maier. For Kuebler though, he knew he had to be patient.

“Sintillating pulled early enough in the race where I was content to stay where I was and not follow her as I felt she would brush to the front, and if I tried to follow her, I’d be parked the rest of the way.”

Still last and 7-3/4 lengths back at the half-mile marker, timed in :56.3, Kuebler was okay with how the race was shaping up.

“That first-half mile was fast for that group and I felt my chances were improved because of that. I knew that Sintillating had been used to get the lead, but I still figured she’d be tough to down.”

Pulling first-over at the 9-16ths mile pole while Maier was hitting the brakes with Sintillating, Kuebler would encounter a problem when beginning to gain momentum with his charge at the five-eighths mile pole when Holme Town Girl (Tien Desomer) pulled.

“My horse was moving when Holme Town Girl pulled out, but once Holme Town Girl was out, my horse dropped the bit. As a result, I had to pull the earplugs and urge her at that point to catch up to Holme Town Girl. I did, however, like the fact that I got cover because the plan was to follow cover until we straightened out. Once I urged her, she quickly paced up to the helmet of Tien (Desomer) and had pace.”

Now racing in fourth position and just three lengths back while appearing to be loaded with pace at the three-quarter mile pole, timed in 1:26.1, Kuebler was optimistic.

“At that point I felt I was going to be 1-2-3. Past the three-quarter mile pole she wanted to run out, but I was trying to keep her on Tien’s helmet as I didn’t want her to move outside that early. I felt entering the stretch that Sintillating was now vulnerable because she wasn’t getting away from us.”

Under urging in the stretch while drafting until moving three-wide to the seven-eighths mile pole and immediately in full gear, Kuebler now had reason to be quite enthused.

“When I tipped her three-wide she started gaining on the leaders and I felt at that point that if she continued at that clip to the wire–that she would be a winner. From that point on she was determined to get by Holme Town Girl.”

Closing in willing fashion, I Need A Miracle would take over the lead in the shadow of the wire to win by 1-1/4 lengths. Owned by Mike Graziano, Jay Rosenberg, Billie Schwartz and JW Standardbreds, and trained by Jim Wilkinson, Jr., who had a training triple on the card, I Need A Miracle would stop the timer at 1:54.3, a lifetime best.

“I was grateful to have the chance to drive her, plus it’s always great to win a Sires Stakes. I was also happy for trainer Jim Wilkinson, Jr., because he is also the breeder, so he was doubly happy. It was an outstanding effort by her and I’m hoping she has another outstanding effort in her stake race next week,” Kuebler finished.

Holme Town Girl finished in second, and Sintillating had to settle for third, another neck back.

In the first division of Sires Stakes action, See Through It would come a long way on the rim while uncovered to win by a neck for trainer and driver Gilbert Herrera. Owned by Steve Chambers, See Through It would win ($6.20) in 1:59.3, a lifetime best.

Heavily favored Tequila Top (Scott Cisco), sent off at odds of 2-5, fought hard, but had to settle for the place honors, while Jumping Joy Flash (Tim Maier) was a very, very distant third, another 37 1/4 lengths farther back.

A purse of $7,900 was on the line in a Fillies & Mares Invitational Handicap, in which the 1-9 favorite Lil Kim didn’t disappoint. Owned by trainer Denise Maier, the Tim Maier driven four year-old would be very well rated (:28.4, :59.1, 1:27.4) to a front-end victory by 2-1/2 lengths, in 1:55, her fourth in-a-row.

Tawny Reserve (Luke Plano) sat in the winner’s pocket and was second, and Cam’s Gidget (Robley Johnson), who broke before the start, came back to be third, another 3-1/4 lengths farther back.

Live racing will resume at Cal-Expo on Saturday. Post-time is at 5:35 p.m. (PDT). On Saturday, the estimated pool in the Pick 5 is $22,500!! Cal-Expo will also offer Dollar Night on Saturday, on which hot-dogs; beer, soda, tacos, and wine will be sold for one dollar, each.

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