by Mark Ratzky, publicity department, Sacramento Harness Association

Sacramento, CA — You can make a pretty good case for each of the seven trotters in Thursday’s (September 27) main event at Cal-Expo, with last week’s winner Cherry Tree Luke and twice-beaten choice TV Mom figuring to get most of the attention.

The $4,800 event is designed for side-wheelers carrying base claiming tags of $12,000 down to $8,000 and those who like the safety in numbers angle will be attracted to the entry of NV Warlord and Simply Made. Howwildoyawantme, Smokey Yankee and Mister Man round out the cast.

Cherry Tree Luke will go postward for Clint Lugar, with Lou Pena the trainer and Jim Lackey once again handling the lines. The 7-year-old son of Sierra Kosmos has six snapshots and 10 runner-up finishes from 31 trips to the post this season, and recently went over the $100,000 earnings plateau while sporting a 1:57.2 mark.

Sent off at 3-1 in last week’s clash at this level, the dark-hued trotter sat a stalking journey to the lane, then came with a big last quarter to overpower the leaders to win going away by 1-1/4 lengths for Lackey.

TV Mom is looking to return to her winning ways after settling for exacta completions in her last two starts as the public choice. Kennedy Lindsey conditions the Maurice Sigmon color-bearer and Lemoyne Svendsen handles the lines.

A nine-time victress this season, TV Mom picked up her most recent victory at this level on August 30, riding live cover to the lane and then pouring it on late for the 2-1/4 length tally. She was first-over when checking in second behind Simply Made two weeks ago, then came late to get the place check in last week’s appearance.

The two-for-one offering of NV Warlord and Simply Made is appealing. Gilbert Herrera reins and trains the former, who showed the way early in his last try before tiring to third, while Ed Hensley drives and trains Simply Made, who will be dangerous with a repeat of his September 14 effort where he rolled past this group for the upset.

Entomologist bugs rivals this time

Trainer Bob Johnson is the first to admit that everything that can go right, did go right for his 2-year-old trotting colt Entomologist in the most recent Sires Stakes.

The first lucky break actually occurred before the horses even hit the track, as probable 1-9 favorite Stars And Sites suffered a slight setback and was forced to scratch from the race. Bruce Clarke’s protégé had crushed his rivals in the first stakes dance after coming in from Pocono and the race changed completely when he was scratched.

Things got even sweeter as the gate rolled when two of Entomologist’s three rivals made breaks in the race, leaving him to romp home by three lengths for Rick Plano.

“The stars were definitely aligned for us that night,” said Johnson, who co-owns the son of Baltic Sonata with David Neumeister. “On top of everything else, it turned out to be a good track for the front-end horses, so everything was perfect.”

This was the first victory in four tries for the cleverly named youngster, who was third in the first stakes gathering while setting some wicked fractions after making a miscue in his previous outing.

“He went a pretty quick half (:59.3) and it was more of a tired break than anything else,” his mentor related.

Johnson credits Neumeister with picking out Entomologist from a group of Wayne Knittel yearlings and is realistic when it comes to this side-wheeler, who now has a stakes trophy on his mantle.

“He’s a solid trotter with some good speed, but he got all the breaks last time.”

The action continues this weekend with the 2-year-old fillies facing off in a pair of Sires Stakes on Friday, while Saturday night will find the 2-year-old colts going for the big money in two stakes events.

My Fanny and Smooth Jazz are both unbeaten among the distaff trotters and obviously loom large right back, while Themaninthewindow has ruled the colt pacers, and Entomologist and Stars And Sites have divided up the two added-money contests for the trotting males.

Live racing resumes at Cal-Expo on Thursday (September 27), continuing through Saturday. Post time each night is at 5:35 p.m. (PDT). On Thursday, Cal-Expo offers Fiesta Thursdays, in which fans can enjoy $2.00 frozen margaritas and tacos!