It's bad enough her foes are scared to death of her from the back. So when Sintillating came away in the pocket, it was Katie Bar The Door.

Filly & Mare Open Handicap pacers, racing for a $6,100 purse, were featured at Cal-Expo on Thursday, February 18.

In advance of starting from Post 5 in the field of a half-dozen, trainer Tim Maier had something in mind for Sintillating.

"I wanted to try a different tactic and see if I could get her off the gate with enthusiasm," Maier stated. "I figured if I could get away with a healthy position that she'd have a good chance."

With the wings of the gate folded, Maier right away had to let his charge know that things weren't going to be as usual.

"I had to chase her pretty good and had to use her just to clear Silver Bloom (driven by Ruel Goodblood, Jr.) from the one-hole and it concerned me because the quarter flashed 28 seconds and she hasn't been to the quarter in that much in a while -- but she got position."

Getting the lead after an eighth of a mile, Maier yielded to Biggest Big Bertha (Rick Plano) three 16ths of a mile into the race. Did Maier think he had stung his competitor?

"The intention wasn't really to soften up Biggest Big Bertha, I just didn't want her clearing me before I got down. As it ended up, Biggest Big Bertha did get softened up."

Now in the pocket through a first-half of :57.1, Maier, despite his great position, showed respect for one of his foes.

"I was actually a little concerned there when we were heading around the far turn. I figured my mare would pace home good like she does, but Dont Tempt Me (Luke Plano) was right behind me."

With the field now at the three-quarter mile marker, timed in 1:25.2, Maier's attention was back in front of him.

"She felt good and (Rick) Plano knew I was behind him and he started gassing. I just stayed there as close as I could and then tipped her in the lane."

Out for the drive with three 16ths of a mile to go, and under urging, the six year-old soon charged into the lead with a sixteenth of a mile left to pace.

"She was up to her task like she always is in the stretch and I don't know why, but inside that last sixteenth she always finds another gear. I don't know how she does it, but she manages to do it."

Bred and owned by Alan Kirschenbaum and Denise Maier, the daughter of Little Steven won ($7.60) by one and a quarter lengths in 1:53, a seasonal best. Dont Tempt Me closed late off a three-week rest to finish in second, and Biggest Big Bertha finished another one and three-quarter lengths farther back, in third.

"It was a very good effort on her part. Denise, Alan, and I are real happy," concluded Maier.

Live racing continues at Cal-Expo tonight at 5:30 p.m. (PST), and on Saturday, February 20 at 5:35 p.m.

(Cal-Expo)