by Mark Ratzky, publicity, Cal-Expo

Sacramento, CA — Heartland Express is obviously a pacer who subscribes to the theory, “If you don’t succeed at first, try, try again.” The Larry Hastings owned and trained gelding got the job done in start No. 27 last week, benefiting from a heady drive by Scott Cisco to prevail by a length as the 4-5 favorite.

The 4-year-old actually crossed the wire first in a mile here back on Sept. 2, but did a no-no through the stretch when he stepped inside the pylons and was denied that three length score by the stewards. A near miss followed from an outside post, then it all came together last time to the delight of the chalk players and his owner/trainer.

“I bought him because he’s a full brother to my big horse Dugout Andee, but I guess that one is just a freak of nature,” Hastings related. “It was definitely frustrating that night he drew off in the stretch and was disqualified, but on the other hand it was encouraging because it was the first time he’d actually gone forward in the stretch.

“That next start was a good one from the eight post, and then Scott gave him a great drive last time. He left, then got covered up by a horse who was a longshot and he knew he didn’t want to follow, so he was out and moving again.”

Heartland Express was subsequently able to sit in the pocket behind the second choice, tracked that one to the drive and then proved best in the lane.

“I’ve thought about selling him several times over the last year, but he’s such a loveable horse I just couldn’t do it,” Hastings said. “He’s got a stride a mile long, so who knows, maybe he’s finally coming around.”

By the way, Heartland Express is just a piker in the overdue diploma department when compared to a Thoroughbred named Boardwalkbillie who won last week at Thistledown in Ohio. A 9-year-old mare, she was getting the job done for the first time in 45 trips to the post.

Saturday night will be the finale of the TVG Amateur Driver series, with opening leg winners Magicality and Long Last Look heading the cast. TVG is a proud sponsor of the series, while TrackMaster is supporting the event by offering free programs and selections at www.trackmaster.com/calx.

Live racing resumes at Cal-Expo on Thursday (Sept. 23) and continues through Saturday (Sept. 25). Approximate post time is 5:45 p.m. (PDT).