Biggest Big Bertha reaches 50 win plateau at Cal-Expo

Sacramento, CA — She had three years on her counterparts, but that didn’t stop Biggest Big Bertha from visiting the winner’s circle for the 50th time. Filly & Mare Open handicap pacers, racing for a $6,100 purse, were featured at Cal-Expo on Thursday night.

In advance of starting from post position five in the field of a half-dozen, trainer Rick Plano knew from a look at the formbook that there was speed to join his “usual” gate-leaving mare.

“I didn’t know what was going to go on so I didn’t have her directly on the gate. I was going to see how it went,” said Plano. “As it turns out three horses went out of there. That, however, didn’t bother me because with my horse being versatile I didn’t count myself out.”

Getting ducked and coming away in fifth position, Plano, despite the action up front, elected to make a quarter-move.

“When they were three-wide to the quarter in :28.1, I decided it was time for me to make my move because I figured once they got to the lead they’d be slowing down — which would be a good time for me to attack.”

Motoring up at the 5-16ths marker and making the lead past the 7-16ths station while pacing a :27.4 second quarter, Biggest Big Bertha took the field to the half in :57.1. Asking a bit past the five-eighths pole, then giving his mare a one-hander midway through the final turn, Plano had good reason.

“Part of the reason I gassed her in the third quarter and let her pace was I knew I was losing Don’t Tempt Me in the pocket behind me because Luke (Plano) was chasing after her because she wasn’t keeping up.”

Responding to her pilot, Biggest Big Bertha opened up by 2-1/4 lengths while reaching the three-quarter pole in 1:25.3.

“I knew I had a few lengths on them and I was hoping I was going to hold on, but I am always worried about the big closers coming from the back. Having said that, I knew that Sintillating (Tim Maier) was sitting last and kind of figured it was too far for her to come, which was good for me.”

Opening up by 2-1/2 lengths into the lane, there’d be no catching the talented lass as she’d win ($8.20) under moderate urging by 1-3/4 lengths. Owned by Marilee Keene, Biggest Big Bertha stopped the timer in 1:54.1, a seasonal best. Sintillating closed from last to finish in second and complete the Alan Kirschenbaum bred/Little Steven sired exacta, and Giveittoemstaight (Gilbert Herrera) finished 1-1/4 lengths farther back in third.

“It was a good race for her and since I took over the training she’s getting better all the time. I’m hopeful she continues to get better,” concluded Plano.

— Scott Ehrlich

Five wins and five million for Whelan

London, ON — A five win haul at Western Fair Raceway on Thursday vaulted Michael Whelan on top of the drivers’ leaderboard at the London, Ontario track and put him over the C$5 million mark in career earnings.

Going into Thursday’s card Whelan was tied for wins at Western Fair with Trevor Henry, but he put himself squarely on top thanks to his five trips to the winner’s circle.

Putnam Fantasy provided him with his first photo opportunity as she converted a two hole trip into a 2:03.3 win over the track rated ‘good.’ It was the third victory in five starts this season for the 9-year-old Island Fantasy mare owned by trainer Don Meekison, Jr.

Whelan’s other winners were Vegas Girl (2:00.3), Seraglio (2:03), El Bucanero (2:07.4), a member of his father Walter’s stable, and Starbux Eden (2:06.2).

Whelan is off to a great start this year with 26 wins and C$118,000 in earnings so far. Last year was his best season in the sulky to date with 164 total victories and C$1.1 million in purses, the first time he’s cracked the million dollar mark. Lifetime he shows 686 wins.

— Heather Blackwell