Small in stature, large in effort leads to new life mark for Scooter Babe
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Filly & Mare Open 2 Handicap pacers, racing for a purse of $5,200, were featured at Cal-Expo on Friday night (September 24), on which little Scooter Babe came up big.
In advance of starting from her assigned Post 5 in the field of the same number, trainer Steve Wiseman knew two things.
"I thought I had a decent shot, but I didn't want to come away last," said Wiseman. "I wanted to come away close, so I had it in my mind to leave out of there and find a good early spot."
Leaving sharply and getting into the pocket just as the field entered the first-turn, was Wiseman concerned that the first eighth of a mile was probably paced in the 13's into a :27.4 opening quarter?
"We were pacing a little out of there and I don't normally leave with my mare, but the fast first eighth didn't hurt her any."
Sitting in the pocket through a much slower second split into a :57.2 first-half, Wiseman elected to sit midway through the final-turn when Reno Rose (Rich Wojcio) moved up on the rim, this despite the fact that James Kennedy was chasing after the pace-setting Real Suspicion who appeared to not be responding.
"I thought it was a little too early to come, so I just thought I'd sit chilly with the hopes of getting loose. And with it being a short field, I figured I'd get out somewhere."
With the field now at the three-quarter mile station, timed in 1:27, Wiseman took a look over his right shoulder and the news was good.
"That was my time to slide out behind Reno Rose and follow her as long as I could. I thought my chances were good because I had a lot of horse."
On the move into the stretch and drafting until moving three-wide to the seven-eighths mile pole, Wiseman asked and received.
"I pulled the earplugs as soon as I tipped and she got into another gear and was tremendous and strong all the way through to the wire."
Flying with an eighth of a mile to go and closing fast to the lead with a little more than a sixteenth of a mile left to race, the six-year-old drew away under some urging until late to win ($4.00) by 3-1/4-lengths with a lot of pace to spare. Owned by Larry Barker and Janet Plested, Scooter Babe stopped the timer at 1:54.3. Red Star Ruffles (Sue Boyce), easily the longest shot on the board, was second, and Reno Rose was a good third off a layoff since February, finishing 1-1/4-lengths farther back.
"She never ceases to amaze me because of how little she is, but how tough and fast she can be. It was a very good race for her and I was glad to see her take a new lifetime mark," finished a proud Wiseman, who had four driving wins on the card.
Live racing continues at Cal-Expo on Saturday (September 25) at 6:25 p.m. (PDT). On Saturday and every live card, Cal-Expo offers free admission, as well as free preferred & general parking after 4:30 p.m. Also on Saturday, its Dollar Night, on which hot-dogs; beer, soda, and wine will be sold for one dollar from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Additionally on Saturday, Cal-Expo offers an Open Face Turkey Sandwich, Mashed Potatoes & Gravy, a Side Salad, plus a non-alcoholic beverage, all for just $6.
Now on every Saturday card, Cal-Expo offers a reduced 15 percent takeout rate on both the Early & Late Pick-4 wagers. Additionally, the Late Pick-4 (Races 10-13) will have a $10,000 gross guaranteed pool.
(Cal Expo)