by Mark Ratzky, publicity, Cal-Expo

Sacramento, CA — Bob Johnson had Jack Coffey’s stakes-winning 3-year-old trotting colt Final Chapter out for a comeback spin last week at Cal Expo in preparation for the second round of Sire Stakes action for the division that gets underway next week.

The Website homebred had to settle for second prize behind Im So Sulky in the first three big-money races for the sophomore trotting males last year, but got his revenge in the November 20 championship with Rich Wojcio giving him a perfect drive that evening.

Making his seasonal debut last week over a sloppy track, Final Chapter turned in a solid runner-up effort that should help him get nice and tight for the richer assignments. He sped from the gate for Wojcio in that return, sat the pocket and while no match for older mare C Miracle Mary, did overtake another stakes winner in Thatssomebracciola to complete the exacta.

“He had a nice, quiet time off, and he filled out some,” related Johnson when asked about the dark-hued performer. “He was a little bumpy in the race and might have been hitting his bike, but it was his first start on an off track and his first race back. He’ll have one more time to get tighter before the stakes start up again, and hopefully we’ll catch a fast track for those races.”

Hall of Fame inductions held

The late Dr. Gary Budahn and the outstanding performers Oprah and Rowdy Yankee were inducted into the California Harness Hall of Fame in a ceremony last Sunday (March 27).

Don and Barbara Arnstine received the Lifetime Commitment Award for their dedication and support to harness racing in the Golden State, while the stallion awards found MacKenzie Farms receiving the top breeding award for trotters with Panama Hanover and JJJ Stables and Alan Anderson’s Power Of Art was named top pacing stallion.

Live racing resumes at Cal Expo on Thursday (March 31) and continues through Saturday (April 2). Post time on Thursday is 5:30 p.m. (PDT). Post time on Friday and Saturday is 6 p.m.