Rick Cisco made a couple of winner’s circle appearances with his trainees last Wednesday night (April 21), greeting the returning Gutsy Winds Ahead in the enclosure following a maiden victory, then a couple of hours later had his picture snapped with the veteran mare Charter Ridge.
 
Gutsy Winds Ahead, a Hi Ho Silverheels homebred who carries the Laurette Odney banner, was unable to hit the board in four starts as a 2-year-old last season, but appears to have returned a much-improved sophomore.  He parlayed a handy qualifying score into a smart diploma earner over a sloppy track in his seasonal bow.
 
“He was a great, big 2-year-old, and he just needed some time to mature,” Cisco explained.  “Last year he went from a 2:07 qualifier into a 1:56 and change race, and it may have played with his head a little.  He’s got it together now, and it looks like he might be okay.”
 
On the other end of the size spectrum is the diminutive 9-year-old mare Charter Ridge, who is one of the smallest performers on the grounds.
 
“She probably doesn’t weigh over 700 pounds, but she’s got a big heart,” her mentor related.  “She’s my all-time favorite, edging out Southern John.”
 
Rick has had this distaffer for each and every one of her 200 trips to the post, resulting in 15 wins, 24 seconds and 32 thirds while earning her $82,000 bank account and 1:54.4 mark the old-fashioned way.
 
“She didn’t make her first start until the end of her 3-year-old year, and she won three of those eight,” Cisco recalled.  “She’s getting on now, so she can’t go with the same caliber, but she still tries hard every time.”
 
You get the feeling the trainer wouldn’t mind having a barnful with this gal’s work ethic.  Both of these pacers are back in action Wednesday (April 28) in hopes of doubling their pleasure.
 
Live racing resumes at Cal-Expo on Wednesday (April 28) at 6:05 p.m. (PDT), then continues on Friday (April 30) & Saturday (May 1) after being dark on Thursday (April 29).  Post-times on Friday & Saturday are scheduled for 5:30 p.m.  On Wednesday night, Cal-Expo offers a complete Lasagna dinner, which includes salad and bread, for just $3.00.