by Scott Ehrlich, publicity director, Sacramento Harness Association

Sacramento, CA — He was winless in 30 starts on the year and was now stepping up in class for new connections, but that didn’t stop Something New from finding his way to the winner’s circle.

Claiming handicap pacers, in to be claimed from $18,000 to $25,000, went at it at Cal-Expo in the $6,300 featured event on a hot Thursday night (August 30), in which Something New proved too tough.

Before starting from post position one in the field of six, trainer/driver Rick Plano spoke well of his new charge that he had claimed the week before for $12,000 for his wife Mary Ann.

“I thought he had a good chance — especially when I drew the one hole,” said Plano. “I figured he’d be close if I could get him a good trip because he had shown before that he could be close when he didn’t have an easy trip. The class rise didn’t really bother me because they all seem to go about the same from $10,000 to $20,000.”

Coming away in third and 3-1/4 lengths back at the quarter-mile pole, timed in :28.1, Plano wasn’t pleased.

“I didn’t like getting away third — which happened as a result of Tens Hanover (Luke Plano) leaving — which I hadn’t anticipated.”

With the pace-setting Frankthebank and driver Rich Wojcio slowing down the pace pretty dramatically early in the second quarter, this would prompt a three-eighths move from Plano when everyone behind the leader jammed up.

“At that point, Plan B went into effect — which was to get myself in the race without being first-up. So I elected to brush to the top.”

Clearing to the lead at the half-mile pole, timed in :57.1, Plano was now happier.

“I hadn’t really used him because when I tipped him out he took right off and paced right to the front. At that point I started liking what was going on because he was pacing smooth and he felt very strong. I popped his earplugs past the half as well as loosening up on him — then approaching the three-quarters I pulled his blinds down and he accelerated, which all leads up to why he’d pace a :28.3 third quarter despite being un-pressured.”

Reaching the three-quarter-mile station, timed in 1:25.4, Plano continued to feel good.

“At the three-quarters he still felt pretty strong and I didn’t think anybody was going to be able to catch him from there.”

Maintaining a lead while not urged in the stretch drive until approaching the sixteenth pole, Something New now had company on each flank as Frankthebank was on his left and Tens Hanover was on his right.

“I really wasn’t concerned, but you want to make sure you win the race, plus he did get a little lazy on me. Once I urged him — he still had a little more left in the tank and would hold them off.”

Responding to his pilot in deep stretch, Something New would hold firm to win ($7.20) by three-quarters of a length in 1:54, establishing a seasonal best. Hard On The Heart (James Kennedy) flew late to just get up for second, and Tens Hanover finished just a neck farther back in third.

For Cal-Expo’s leading trainer and driver, the driving victory marked the 21st consecutive card in which the ageless 55-year-old has had at least one driving win.

“It was a very productive race for him and I only think he will get better,” Plano concluded.

Live racing will resume at Cal-Expo on Friday (August 31) and continue through Saturday. Post time on Friday and Saturday is at 6:30 p.m. (PDT). On Friday, Cal-Expo offers 25-cent buffalo wings.

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