Filly sophomores were highlighted at Cal-Expo on Friday, April 9 in a pair of $15,000 California Sires Stakes, in which One Hot Tamale and Exquisite Gem were winners

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On the wagering card for the three-year-old lady pacers, trainer Rick Plano knew that last year's success with his young lass, One Hot Tamale, didn't make him a winner this year.

"I thought my chances were good because she was the best filly last year," stated Plano. "But she was coming off just a fair qualifier and you're always worried when the other horses have races under their belt and you haven't raced since December 19."

Not leaving until after the start, Plano explained the change in strategy.

"I really didn't plan on leaving, but she got up on the bit there so I decided to leave."

With the field now an eighth of a mile into the race, Plano had an issue to deal with.

"She was trying to take off and got a little sideways and might have touched herself and got bumpy. It did concern me, but I loosened up on her and she found herself."

Parked through a :28.2 opening quarter and not inside until approaching the 5/16ths mile pole, Plano knew it hadn't been easy.

"It was a testy tuck [third] and it did concern me as well, but there was nothing I could do."

Remaining third through a first-half mile of :57.3, Plano moved his filly first-over at the five-eighths mile marker.

"When I pulled her she was strong and pacing fast and I kind of thought she'd clear when we turned for home."

Moving forward in quick fashion and taking a parked-out neck lead at the three-quarters, timed in 1:27.2, Plano soon asked for more.

"I popped the earplugs at the top of the stretch, but she really didn't respond -- so I was just hoping she could hold off whoever came from behind."

Taking a half-length lead into the lane with the pace-setting So Relentless (John Chappell) fighting back, One Hot Tamale soon found her lead dwindle to a neck at mid-stretch.

"I was concerned because she acted like she was all out of gas."

With the field now just a sixteenth of a mile from home, Plano was forced to go to work on his charge when Just Plum Lucky (Luke Plano) shook loose and was closing fast.

"I didn't see Just Plum Lucky until the end and that's why I got after my horse, plus So Relentless was right there on my inside. I was very, very, very fortunate to hold on."

Bred in part by owner Wayne Knittel, One Hot Tamale indeed just held on to win ($4.00) by a nose, in 1:56.4. Just Plum Lucky caught attention for the place honours with a nice close from the back through traffic, and a very game So Relentless was just a neck farther back, in third.

"It was a very gutty race for her and she hung in there a won it by a little bit. Hopefully she'll be more fit for her next start," finished Plano.

Prior to the card in a non-wagering stake for the trotters, Exquisite Gem upset.

Coming away in last in the field of five from Post 4 for driver John Chappell, the pair remained at the caboose through first-half fractions of :29.1 and 1:00.2.

Moving third-over with 7/16ths to go, Chappell eventually moved his filly three-wide late in the final-turn after a three-quarters, timed in 1:32.2.

Still last at the top of the stretch, but brushing, Exquisite Gem closed nicely under no urging before drawing even with Acapulco Gold (Rocky Stidham) and Betty Elizabeth (Gene Vallandingham) with a sixteenth of a mile to go. Now being urged, Exquisite Gem edged away to win by one length, in 2:02.4, thus establishing a lifetime mark. Acapulco Gold was a game and good second and Betty Elizabeth finished just a head farther back in third.

"I was in with probably a couple better horses than mine," said driver John Chappell. "But being that it was their first starts of the year -- they probably came up short -- whereas mine had 10 starts and lots of miles. I was able to get them tonight even though I may not get them again," concluded Chappell.

(Cal Expo)