by Scott Ehrlich, publicity director, Sacramento Harness Association

Sacramento, CA — It wasn’t nearly as easy as it appeared it would be at the top of the stretch, but Sintillating dug down deep and prevailed.

Sophomore fillies, on both gaits, were featured in $22,500 California Sires Stakes on Friday night (November 9) at Cal-Expo, in which Sintillating and See Through It didn’t disappoint.

On the pacing side, in advance of starting from post position three in the field of seven, driver Tim Maier knew his competition was tough, but he was still confident.

“It looked pretty wide open as everybody had been racing good, but I definitely liked my chances,” said Maier. “I was just going to play it by ear once the gate folded with the hopes I could work out some type of trip.”

Coming away in fourth position into a fast early pace, Sintillating would find herself six lengths back at the quarter-mile pole, timed in a speedy :27.2.

“She felt good with the pace fast — which I liked — as that’s what you want when racing from behind.”

Remaining in fourth while now down four lengths at the half-mile juncture, timed in :56.3, Maier was being patient.

“I was just waiting to pull on the right line, but I didn’t want to pull until I absolutely had to.”

Moving to the outside past the 9-16th-mile pole and getting a live second-over trip behind Reno Rose (Luke Plano), Sintillating, while still racing fourth, would now be down just 2-1/2 lengths at the three-quarter pole, timed in 1:25.

“I knew I was going to go by a few of the horses in front of me, I was just wondering how much pace Holme Town Girl (Etienne Desomer) had behind me.”

Moving three-wide for the drive while under urging and into gear, it “appeared” that Sintillating would power by her foes, but a stubborn I Need A Miracle (Rick Kuebler), who had been on the front since taking over the lead going into the final turn, wasn’t going to let Sintillating get by without having to earn it.

“I had to keep after my horse pretty good in the stretch, but she got the job done in a game effort,” Maier finished.

Closing in willing fashion in the lane to wear down I Need A Miracle in the shadow of the wire, Sintillating would win ($3.60) by a neck. Bred, owned, and trained by Denise Maier, Sintillating stopped the timer at 1:53.2, equaling a lifetime mark. Holme Town Girl was closing fast, but ran out of real estate and had to settle for second, and I Need A Miracle hung tough and was only three-quarters of a length farther back in third.

The owning victory for Denise Maier completed an ownership double, and was the middle portion of a training triple. For driver Tim Maier, the triumph for him was also the second of three wins on the card.

In the trotting Sires Stakes feature, See Through It was the pocket-rocket. Owned by Steve Chambers and trained and driven by Gilbert Herrera, See Through It, in recording her fourth straight Sires Stakes win on the year, would score ($3.80) by 3-1/4 lengths in 1:59.4. Tequila Top (Rick Plano), who cut out fractions of :30.2, 1:00.4 and 1:30.3, had to settle for second, and Mygiveadamnsbusted (Steve Wiseman) finished another 12-1/2 lengths back in third.

Live racing will resume at Cal-Expo on Saturday (November 10). Post time is 6:00 p.m. (PST). Saturday is also Dollar Night, on which hot dogs, beer, soda and wine will be sold for one dollar each.

Cal-Expo also offers guaranteed $10,000 pools on all Pick-4’s!