His M.O. has almost always been to leave, but on this night Claudius Augustus became a closer and a successful one at that

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Open Handicap Trotters, racing for a $6,100 purse, were featured at Cal-Expo on Friday night (January 15), on which Claudius Augustus got back on the winning track.

Prior to starting from post-five in the field of the same number, driver Steve Wiseman had a pre-race meeting.

"Bobby (Johnson/trainer) and I discussed strategy a little bit before the race and he kind of left it up to me as to whether I wanted to leave out of there with him or race him from behind," said Wiseman. "When we were behind the gate, I elected to race him from off the pace because this was only his fourth start back and I had put him on the front in his last two - - so I figured ducking was the thing to do. With all that being said, I knew I had a good shot no matter how I raced him."

Lagging the gate one-length, yet half floating out off the wings, the six year-old tucked in last an eighth of a mile past the start into a deliberate :29.4 opening quarter. Was Wiseman concerned that Cherry Tree Luke (Rick Plano) got away with the easy first-quarter?

"No, I was quite content and had my mind made up."

Still last at the half-mile station, timed in a soft 1:00, was Wiseman concerned now?

"I basically knew at the quarter that we'd be getting down to the half cheap and that we'd be trotting home pretty good. But I was okay and not concerned that Cherry Tree Luke got the easy first-half."

Getting second-over cover to the 9-16ths mile pole behind Calzone (Gilbert Herrera) who provided live cover midway through the final bend, Claudius Augustus found himself just two-lengths back at the three-quarter mile pole, timed in 1:28.3.

"I knew I had a good shot from right there because he was strong and I was just sitting and hadn't even pulled the earplugs."

Tipping three-wide with less than 3-16ths of a mile to go, the son of Angus Hall knew what to do.

"When I tipped him he was strong and all class through the lane."

Flying into the lead to mid-stretch and edging away late while Wiseman's whip rested on the back of his charge, the pride of Debbie Budahn won ($3.00) by 1-1/2-lengths, in 1:57, equaling a seasonal best. Cherry Tree Luke finished in second, and TV Mom (Lemoyne Svendsen) came on late to finish just a neck farther back, in third.

"He raced very good and is a very nice horse to drive," finished Wiseman.

Live harness racing continues at Cal-Expo on Saturday (January 16) at 5:30 p.m. (PST) and on Sunday (January 17) at a special post-time of 5:00 p.m.

(Cal-Expo)