by Mark Ratzky, publicity – Cal Expo Harness

Sacramento, CA — We’ll find out Sunday (Dec. 14) if there is going to be a changing of the guard at the head of the 3-year-old trotting class here at Cal Expo.

The first Sire Stakes of the meeting for this division is set, and while Placer was pretty much the dominating side-wheeler when the last added-money races were being decided earlier in the year, at least a couple of serious challengers have emerged in the interim.

Placer is a 3-year-old son of Panama Hanover out of the Website mare Charlotte’s Web who picked up five stakes trophies at the last meet for his owner/breeders Steve and Vickie Desomer, including a lifetime-best 2:00.2 score back in April.

He comes into this $10,000 contest a bit rusty when compared to main rivals Bank Of Lodi and Ahh Panama, however. “I’m afraid Placer is the victim of a big heart and a bad gait,” Vickie related when asked about the gelding. “He does keep trying, though.”

Meanwhile, Bank Of Lodi suits up for Sunday’s stakes having posed for snapshots following three of his last four starts for his owner/breeders Mary Harris and Pierre Girard and new best friend Luke Plano.

“She’s catching up with those other 3-year-olds now and the experience is really helping,” Girard explained. “This filly is a natural puller, and even though we’ve tried different types of bits and bridles, that’s just the way she likes it. I can tell you that jogging her is like a visit to the gym.”

Ahh Panama is the only other member of the field with a stakes trophy on her mantle, having taken advantage of a miscue by heavily-favored Placer in the March 28 get-together for this group. She makes things very interesting if she comes with her best race for Bob Johnson and pilot Steve Wiseman.