After clicking just once from his first 19 starts this year, Western Hurricane comes into Saturday’s (August 21) program having posed for pictures in three of his last four trips to the post for trainer Nathalie Tremblay and pilot James Kennedy.
 
The 6-year-old Western Hanover pacer finished up the spring in smart style, and obviously had a nice summer break as he returned with a sharp 1:56 score with Kennedy in his usual off-the-pace fashion.
 
“I’ve had him for about six months now,” said Nathalie, who conditions the pacer for her mother Lili.  “We bought him from Ohio, where he wasn’t getting around the half-milers and we thought the mile track would help.”
 
Western Hurricane was just hitting his best stride when the spring session came to end, taking two of his last three, then got the two-month vacation along with the other local trotters and pacers.  He got a nice muscle-stretcher in his matinee mile, then blasted home to get the job done last week in the fastest tour of the weekend.
 
“He’s a good little horse and he spent the summer in my mom’s backyard,” Nathalie explained.  “I wasn’t worried about him being fit enough, and James gets along great with him.  You just have to sit early and he can really come home.”
 
While the Tremblay color-bearer was prevailing over $4,000 types in his return, he’s being bumped up a few levels for Saturday’s assignment in what appears to be much deeper water.
 
“We’re putting him up in class because he’s fresh and there’s claiming going on,” Nathalie said. 
 
 
Sacramento Mountain Lions Cheerleaders will be on hand Saturday night at Cal-Expo, promoting the upcoming United Football League season.  The UFL provides high-quality professional football during a traditional fall season while embracing innovation and fan interaction.  For ticket information go to www.tickets.com or call (916) 383-LION (5466). 
           
A reminder that next week will find a return to the regular Thursday-through-Saturday schedule for the trotters and pacers.  On the wagering front, there is now a 50-cent Pick 5 offered each night and it begins on the fifth race.
 
There is a $109,462 carryover in the Pick 6 at the Meadowlands, and you can watch and wager on the sequence at Cal-Expo and all California satellite wagering facilities. The Pick 6 begins on Race 4 and this being closing night of the Big M meeting, there will be a mandatory payout.
 
Live racing resumes at Cal-Expo on Friday, August 20 & Saturday, August 21.  Post-time on Friday is at 6:20 p.m. (PDT).  Post-time on Saturday is at 6:10 p.m.  On Friday, Cal-Expo offers Happy Hour between 6:00-8:30 p.m., where $2 Beer, $2 Wine & $2 Buffalo Wings an order is offered.   Now on every live card, Cal-Expo offers free admission, as well as free preferred & general parking.