By Mark Ratzky, publicity – Cal Expo Harness
Chase The Gold, who has
rattled off five straight victories at this meet, looks to keep the streak
alive as he tops the cast in Sunday night’s $12,500 Steve Wiseman Pace.
The main event headlines an
11-race card under the Watch and Wager LLC banner with first post set for 4:55
p.m. Th co-feature is a $7,700 Open Trot that rematches the dynamic duo of
Mandeville, Pridecrest and Silverhill Volo.
Chase The Gold is a
4-year-old son of Mystery Chase who is owned by Qks Racing, takes his lessons
from Quentin Schneider and will be handled by James Kennedy while leaving from
the cozy rail slot in the field of seven.
During the course of his
streak, Chase The Gold has posted a six and a quarter length romp in the Donald
Arnstine Final on December 3 and set a new lifetime mark of 1:54 1/5 in winning
last week’s Wiseman elimination/prep.
Spectacular Sunset was the
runner-up in that latter event as the 7-5 favorite and will be looking for some
revenge this weekend after carving out most of the fractions and getting beat a
length by Chase The Gold.
The 4-year-old son of
Artspeak competes for Set The Pace Racing LLC and is reined and trained by Nick
Roland. He started off this meet with five straight victories while steadily
working his way up the class ladder.
Completing the field are
Major Ted, Urkillinmesmalls, Bobs Time, The Dog Won’t Hunt and River Lassena.
Race honors memory of
Steve Wiseman
Sunday
night’s feature is named for longtime California horseman Steve Wiseman, who
passed away last March at the age of 53.
Wiseman was a third-generation harness horseman, as his
grandfather drove the starting gate in British Columbia and his father Raleigh
was a respected horseman in both Canada and the United States.
Steve came to California as a teenager and not long after that
went to work with Tim and Denise Maier, followed by a stint with the Jim Perez
stable. He eventually went to Chicago where he was second trainer to Joe
Anderson, who encouraged him to strike out of his own.
It was at this point that Wiseman returned to California to
start his stable. Soon after he met his wife of 21 years, Kathie Plested, and
they had their daugher Tyler, now 21.
Steve and Kathie had made Sacramento their home while operating
one of the largest stables at Cal Expo in the fall and winter and Running Aces
in Minnesota in the spring and summer with a number of driving and training
titles to show for those efforts.
Steve was on the board of directors of the CHHA, a member of the
California Hall of Fame committee and the drivers track committee.
Steve’s favorite performers included Magna Kay, Cashimir Dow
Jones, Rhianna Seelster and Silverlode, the latter breaking the North American
record for a trotter at mile and a half with a 2:57 2/5 victory here at Cal
Expo in the Joe Lighthill Memorial.
“Steve Wiseman was the consummate horseman,” said Steve and
Vickie Desomer. “Professional and friendly whether training or driving or
working around the barn. When we raced coupled entries, it was always our
hope and good fortune when Stevie consented to drive for us. He will be
sorely missed as he remained one of the horsemen that gave our industry a good
name. Rest in peace Stevie.”
From Tim and Denise Maier: “We have always considered Steve part
of our family. It was a pleasure to see the amazing man he became.
The paddock at Running Aces will not be the same without him. I hope God
appreciates his humor.”
“Horse owners will tell you about the money they are making or
losing, but after 50 years, this small owner will admit, it’s about the joy of
harness racing,” said Barbara Arnstine. “In creating that joy, Steve Wiseman
was rightly named the Magician. I’ve had my worst mare and one of my best in
his barn over the years, and thanks to his magic, they were both wonderful
experiences.”
