by Mark Ratzky, publicity department, Sacramento Harness Association

Sacramento, CA — Ohoka Jasper N, who got back to his winning ways over a sloppy track in last week’s top dance for the division, attempts a curtain call in Thursday night’s (February 28) $8,000 Open Trot at Cal-Expo.

An 8-year-old New Zealand import, Ohoka Jasper N carries the banner of Virginia Schick and is reined and trained by Rick Plano. He comes into this assignment with two wins and a like number of runner-up finishes from his seven trips to the post this season.

The Down Under trotter registered his first score of the year back on January 3, as he sat a perfect pocket journey that night and had the right response in the lane to pull away by 2-1/2 lengths when all was said and done. He had to be happy with minor awards in his next five outings, including a pair where he made breaks and another two where he completed the exacta.

Ohoka Jasper N returned to the charmed circle following the most recent Open Trot, which was contested over a sloppy racetrack. He sat back early, rallied with cover from TV Mom and wore that one down at crunch time to prevail by a length as the 8-5 second choice in the wagering.

TV Mom was very game in defeat and this mare from the Kennedy Lindsey barn is going in the best form of her career. Maurice Sigmon is the owner and Lemoyne Svendsen will be in his usual place in the sulky. This gal clicked in 15 of her 53 starts last year and has two snapshots from nine trips to the post this season.

TV Mom earned her most recent decision on February 16, as she got some class relief and proved a punctual favorite while lowering her lifetime standard to 1:57.1 in the process. Back up to this top rung for her last attempt, she was first-over to put away the pace-setter, opened a clear lead at mid-stretch, but could not hold off the late charge of Ohoka Jasper N, who had followed her to the drive.

K D Rowdy One is looking to make amends after being the beaten favorite in the last two major gatherings for the trotting set. The Karen’s Rowdy One lad had captured four of his first six starts this year, including an Open victory on February 11, where he finished powerfully to overhaul the leaders.

Rocky Stidham drives, trains and co-owns the 6-year-old with Ben Kenney and is looking to improve on a pair of fourth-place finishes in those last two appearances as the favorite. He could easily turn things around at what figures to be improved odds and should be coming smartly in the final stages.

Bordgame checkmates his rivals

After dropping hints in his first three appearances, the 3-year-old pacer Bordgame broke through in a big way for Team Desomer last weekend, romping home by seven lengths for his diploma over a sloppy track.

The Tulane homebred was second and third in his initial two tries. He then lost his best chance in the next outing as he went off stride just before the start, suffered from a poor cover flow past the half, and would do well to get a show check that evening.

There were no such troubles as the heavy favorite last time, however, as Etienne Desomer put him right on the lead and waltzed home looking every bit the 2-5 shot he was on the toteboard.

“He’s out of the 100 percent producing mare Bordeaux Franco,” trainer Vickie Desomer pointed out. “That makes him a half-brother to Dayahana, Not On My Watch, Fine Wine and Grey Frier.

“He’s a bit headstrong at the gate, but he did put it all together the other night. I’d describe him as a nice, good-gaited horse in a plain brown wrapper. We do have some high hopes for his future.”

Live racing will resume at Cal-Expo on Thursday (February 28) at 6:00 p.m. (PST), and will continue through Saturday (March 1). Post time on Friday and Saturday night is scheduled for 5:35 p.m. 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!