Sophomore colts and geldings, on both gaits, were spotlighted at Cal Expo on Saturday night (April 14) in two $12,000 California Sires Stakes

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In the first of the two non-wagering events held prior to the 15-race betting card, this for the trotters, Rite After Disbeer scored in what had to be considered an upset.

Not leaving for driver Luke Plano, but coming away in third position from post four in the field of six, the pair sat in the three-hole through first half numbers of :31 and 1:03.2. With the field at the midway point of the final turn, Plano elected not to be flushed uncovered when the two-year-old undefeated (four-for-four) champ, El Azteca (Marco Rios), came first over.

"Being that it was only my horse's second lifetime start, and given he's still 'green,' I wasn't in any hurry to pull him at that point because I would have had to rush him," stated Plano. "So I elected to wait and take my chances from there."

That chance, as it turns out, took place just a sixteenth of a mile later when Plano muscled his way out at the three-quarter mile marker, timed in 1:34.1.

"When I realized how wide El Azteca was, combined with my horse feeling like he had quite a bit of trot, I figured that was my opportunity to move him out, plus I didn't have to rush him."

Moving forward at the head of the lane and quickly switching into a good gear with 3/16ths of a mile to go, the colt forged into the lead at the seven-eighths mile station.

"I showed him the whip and he eased right into the lead and was still well in-hand. From that point on all I had to do was just keep him to his task."

Trotting on to win by a very easy two lengths, the Mary Harris-bred and owned three-year-old stopped the timer at 2:02.4, thus establishing a lifetime mark with his maiden triumph. The pacesetting Loose Cannon (Steve Wiseman) finished in second and El Azteca finished two and a quarter lengths farther back in third.

"When I had the opportunity to school this colt a couple of times, his trainer Kennedy Lindsey was focusing on teaching him how to close in the lane. I think Kennedy did a fine job as the horse raced exactly like he was taught to close in the stretch," concluded Plano.

Completing the Sires Stakes action were the pacers, in which Looks Dont Count was victorious.

Coming away third from post position two in the field of five for driver James Kennedy, Looks Dont Count stayed put through opening half fractions of :28.3 and :59.

Racing two lengths off the pocket-sitting Bee Gee (Steve Wiseman) at the five-eighths mile pole, then racing a loose third at the three-quarter mile juncture, timed in 1:27.4, Kennedy soon moved his charge three-wide at the top of the stretch.

Closing in willing fashion, the gelding took over the lead with a sixteenth of a mile to go and went on to win by one and a half lengths in 1:57, all while Kennedy had the whip up in the air throughout the stretch drive. Bee Gee finished in second and Bloom N Doom (Lemoyne Svendsen), who cut the mile, finished another one and a quarter lengths farther back in third.

"For a very green horse, he was real good," said Kennedy. "It was good to get a sires stakes win for owners Marlene and Rick Thomas, as well as for owner-trainer George Reider."

(Cal Expo)