by Mark Ratzky, publicity, Cal-Expo

Sacramento, CA — Still Stylin was heavy on the minor awards last season, clicking just twice from his 37 appearances while second or third on 15 occasions. The Indiana-bred 5-year-old got a snapshot last week, however, as James Kennedy gave his charge a confident drive and was rewarded with a nearly five length score in a 1:56.3 tour at Cal Expo.

“I’ve had Still Stylin for about six weeks now,” Kennedy related following the romp at 3-1 odds. “The horse had been making some breaks, and I think the owners had in mind to give him to a trainer who also did the driving.

“My goal from the start was to get him to stay flat, because I knew if I was able to do that, he has the ability to be a good horse. It was just a matter of putting in lots of time with him, and it was pretty much the same thing I did when Haggin Oaks was having her breaking troubles last year.”

Still Stylin, who races for Keith Ballard and Lester Hunsucker, dropped a hint two back when he outfinished his double-digit odds to be a close third behind Hi Ho Steverino, then left little doubt in his last dominating performance.

“He raced awfully well the week before, so I had confidence in him,” Kennedy said. “My plan was to go right to the front, but that didn’t quite work out, so I just waited and then brushed him to the lead at the half. He was very good, and I was very happy with that mile.”

Friday night will find the finale of the Peter Lobell series, and if it’s anything like last week’s penultimate leg, it should be quite a race. Fakeutu Bluegrass is seeking a sweep of the event, prevailing by a length over Vic The Brick in the first leg, then getting the narrowest of victories last time in a desperate finish that found those two and Art Of Arts separated by just a head.

Live racing resumes at Cal Expo on Thursday (Jan. 20) and continues through Saturday (Jan. 22). Post time on Thursday is 5:30 p.m. (PST). Post time on Friday and Saturday is at 6 p.m.