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Wednesday, December 18, 2013

CalX1 - Sharpshootennorris and Bette Jean Enjoy the Ride


By Mark Ratzky, publicity – Cal Expo Harness

Owner/trainer Bette Jean Calice admits that the 10-year-old trotter Sharpshootennorris is as much a pet as a member of her stable, which raises the question of how many pets can you buy for $8,000 and three years later they’ve put over $85,000 in the bank?

That’s the scenario with Sharpshootennorris, who looks to add to his $422,000 in overall earnings when he suits up in Friday night’s headliner for Bette Jean and regular pilot Steve Wiseman.

“He originally raced for my niece and was an Open trotter back then,” Calice said. “He lost a step and ended up in claimers and was taken by someone for $8,000. He raced for them for awhile, and then when they dropped him back in for $8,000, I claimed him.”

Sharpshootennorris banked $40,000 that first year for Calice and turned in a 1:55 3/5 mile at Pompano, adding another $45,000 to that total over the last two seasons. He currently makes up the entire barn for Calice, who considers herself to be semi-retired at this point.

“He’s very special,” she noted. “He hears me coming even before I get around the side of the barn. When we’re jogging, he can still act a little like a baby and jump up and down when something unusual happens, but when it comes time to race he’s all business out there.”

The 10-year-old trotter dead-heated for a conditioned victory on November 22 and has spent his last three starts chasing home Bob Johnson’s dynamic duo of Franks Best and Inside Broadway in the Invitational ranks. He figures to appreciate the class relief for Friday’s assignment and looms large with Wiseman guiding.

Bette Jean explained that it’s been some 30 years since she raced here in Sacramento, spending the majority of her time in Florida and Indiana during the interim. “The timing seemed right, and I’m looking to spend the summer in Oregon when this meet is over. I’m having a great time.” Apparently, so is Sharpshootennorris.

Trotting main event lures contentious cast


Sharpshootennorris, who has been knocking heads with the likes of Franks Best and Inside Broadway of late; and Hellogottagobuybye, fresh from a smart victory, are among the major players in Friday night’s trotting headliner.

A 13- race card is on tap, with the feature set as the fourth on the evening and first post is 5:55 p.m. The action continues Saturday night with two divisions of the second leg of the Bob Gordon Series and an Invitational Pace as the marquee events.

Getting back to Friday’s Trot, Sharpshootennorris has made his last three appearances at the Invite level, chasing home powerhouse stablemates Franks Best and Inside Broadway in those ventures. He figures to be much more at home with Friday’s crew.

A 10-year-old Canadian-bred son of Earl, he is owned and trained by Bette Jean Calice with Steve Wiseman in his usual position in the sulky. He comes into this assignment with $422,000 in his account and a 1:54 mark that was established three years ago. Since dead-heating with Axle in a conditioned contest on November 22, he has been in very tough while coming away with a third and two fourth-place finishes.

Hellogottagobuhbye looked good getting the job done last week in his second start at the meet and looms large right back. Owned by Daniel Maier and conditioned by father Tim, Tyler Smith will handle the lines after using a second-over trip to victory. The son of Dream Vacation sports a 1:54 2/5 mark from last season at Pocono Downs.

Silverlode figures to be a solid factor for Team Desomer. The 4-year-old daughter of British Sterling is a Sire Stakes victress and made every pole a winning one to capture the Joe Lighthill Series finale on November 22. Veteran Steve Desomer is in the sulky.

Sky Keeper looks for back-to-back for owner Barry Farber and driver/trainer James Kennedy. He has clicked in three of his five outings here since coming in from New York and was a 1:58 victor at Balmoral Park last year. Completing the field are K D Amazin Spirit, Bloomfieldcantfly, Donna Letsgo and Rich Dessert.