Sophomore fillies were spotlighted at Cal Expo on Friday, December 9 in a pair of $15,000 California Sires Stakes, in which trotter Thatssomebracciola and pacer Dine N Wine backed the confidence of the public
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In the division for the trotters, Thatssomebracciola had to dig down to get the cheese. Coming away in fifth position on a no leave from Post 6 in the field of a half-dozen for trainer Luke Plano, the pair were content through first half fractions of :31 and 1:02.1.
With the pacesetting Flea Flicker being sent by driver Rich Wojcio at the 9/16ths mile marker, Plano moved his filly first- over at the five-eighths mile pole, then gained with momentum to the midway point of the final turn, but were still down by three-lengths at the three-quarter mile pole, timed in 1:32.
Getting into the pocket to the head of the lane with two lengths to Flea Flicker, Plano appeared to be sitting chilly.
"When we turned for home my filly was in full gear and I really wasn't asking her a whole lot because she was giving me a lot at that point," said Plano. "When we straightened up, since I knew Flea Flicker drifts out a little and my horse drifts in a little, I figured I'd go up the inside."
Gaining to within a half of one length at the seven-eighths mile station, Plano had to deal with Flea Flicker digging in. Was he concerned?
"Yes, because Flea Flicker was trying to fight me off, but my filly was digging in as well while both horses were a little tired from when we started sprinting in the final turn."
Beginning to run short of time with a sixteenth of a mile to go, was Plano still worried?
"I was still concerned because I still wasn't getting past Flea Flicker and my filly was tiring, but at the same time she was digging in while Flea Flicker was also tiring, yet digging in. I was just hoping to outlast her to the wire, and when push came to shove late, my filly was able to finish strong enough to get by in a race that could have gone either way down by the wire."
Finally edging ahead late while under pretty strong line lifting, the Rick Plano bred and owned lass won ($3) by three-quarters of one-length. Flea Flicker went down fighting while second, and Eggwhite Inmy Beer (James Kennedy) finished three-lengths farther back in third.
"The filly has been in great shape, she raced well, and I think she has a bright future," finished Plano, who had five winners on the 13-race card.
Pacers completed the stakes daily double, in which Dine N Wine was driven according to how she felt. Coming away in fourth position from Post 3 in the field of seven, driver Steve Wiseman, who quarter moved his charge off a :28.3 first-quarter in their last Sires Stakes victory, chose not to quarter-move on this night off a :29.2 opening split.
"I elected to sit because my filly didn't feel as strong as she has in the past," stated Wiseman. “Then when James [Kennedy)] picked up the pace with Poor House -- that really made me decide to stay."
With the 32-1 Hi Fidelity (Scott Cisco) "boldly" pulling first over past the 5-/16ths mile pole, Wiseman had a decision to make.
"At that point, pulling probably wasn't the right thing to do. And like I said, my filly didn't seem as strong as she has, and with the pace going pretty good I continued to elect to stay inside."
Taking a shuffle at the half-mile marker, timed in :58.3, was Wiseman worried?
"I really wasn't because the pace was going on pretty good and I figured I'd be able to get on the 'train' somewhere along the 'line', no pun intended,” chuckled Wiseman.
Now last at the five-eighths mile marker, then fourth over midway through the final bend, a more optimistic Wiseman followed three-wide cover at the three-quarter mile station, timed in 1:27.4, all with the field now tightening up.
"I thought I had a decent shot because she had a little bit of a hold of me at that point as she had picked the bit back up and felt a little stronger."
Moving four-wide with 3/16ths of a mile to go, but with 3-1/2 lengths to catch Poor House, Wiseman had his filly brushing to the seven-eighths mile pole, but with Poor House going on.
"I figured it was going to be a sprint to the wire between us two from that point on."
Closing in determined fashion, but with Poor House continuing to dig in, Dine N Wine was able to do the best work by closing fastest of all in deep-stretch.
"She was very strong late and fought off a hard trying Poor House."
Bred and owned by the Desomer Stables, and trained by Vickie Desomer, Dine N Wine won ($5.60) by two lengths, in 1:56.4. Poor House was a solid second, and Whip And A Prayer (Rich Wojcio) finished two lengths farther back in third.
"She raced tremendous considering she got a very conservative trip," finished Wiseman, who had a driving grand-slam.
Featuring a guaranteed gross pool of $40,000 as the fans wagered $44,097, a carryover of $11,911, and a 15 per cent takeout, the Cal Expo Early Friday Pick 4 Pool exceeded $56,000.
A total of 148 tickets were sold on a $1 ticket that paid off $331.80. The upsetter in the Pick 4 races was Marlin Hanover, who won the opening leg while returning $14.20 to win. Second leg winner, Thatsomebracciola, was the post-time chalk winning and paying $3. Third leg action went to Amigo Di Garcia under a splendid and crafty drive by Steve Wiseman while paying $8.40 to win. Rounding out the early Pick 4 was Dine N Wine at $5.60.
Cal Expo offers a 15 per cent takeout rate on all Pick 4s and a $10,000 guarantee gross pool on all late Pick 4s on each racing night. On Saturdays, there is a 0 per cent takeout on all winning Late Pick 4 tickets made on track or at Twinspires.com.
(Cal Expo)