by Mark Ratzky, Publicity — Cal Expo

Sacramento, CA — Ra Ra Steven and El Azteca captured the first two $15,000 California Sire Stakes for the 2-year-old male pacers and trotters, while Ivegotwhatuneed returned to his winning ways in the co-featured Winners-over Pace at Cal Expo Saturday night.

Ra Ra Steven is a homebred pacing son of Little Steven–Ra Ra Rose who carries the banner of Billie Schwartz, David Rachford and trainer James Wilkinson and was guided to the coast-to-coast score by Rich Wojcio. He never had less than a two-length advantage from the start and came to the wire with four lengths to spare in a 1:59.4 performance.

El Azteca romped home in the trotting contest by 14 lengths for Marco Rios, who does quadruple duty as the owner, breeder, trainer and driver for this Panama Hanover–Jonathan’s Girl offspring. The colt sat second to the final turn, took command swinging for home and waltzed home with the double-digit margin.

Ivegotwhatuneed got the job done for the 11th time from his 24 appearances on the year in the Winners-over Pace while pushing his bankroll to $283,000 in the process. The son of Givemewhatineed, who is owned by Marty Garey and trainer Bob Johnson, was out at the half to put away pace-setting Haggin Oaks while going on to the length and a quarter decision in a 1:55 mile. Cycle Power finished nicely for second while odds-on choice Shamderock had to settle for the show money.