Cherry Tree Luke blooms

A classy foe came at him strong at the head of the lane, but Cherry Tree Luke wouldn't be denied.

Open Handicap trotters, racing for a $6,800 purse, were featured at Cal-Expo on a wet Friday night, on which Cherry Tree Luke won for the 45th time in his career.

In advance of starting from post position five in the field of a half-dozen, trainer Rick Plano knew the sloppy track condition and a new foe in the race merited attention.

"Because of the slop I intended, if I could, to get close to the front somewhere because it's hard to make up ground from too far back, plus it's hard to see because of the slop," Plano stated. “With Claudius Augustus (Steve Wiseman) in the race it's always a concern because he's a very good horse, but my horse is good, too, and I thought he'd be good this week."

Leaving and racing three-wide for a sixteenth of a mile, the 8-year-old made the front an eighth of a mile past the start into a :30.3 first quarter. With no pressure, Plano was able to jog the second quarter with his charge in :32.4, reaching the half-mile juncture in 1:03.2.

Getting his earplugs popped as a result of Claudius Augustus’ pocket-pulling just past the midway point of the final bend, Plano liked what he felt at the three-quarter mile station, timed in 1:34.

"He felt good and strong at that point."

Now having to deal with a Claudius Augustus who was coming with a rush to the top of the lane, Cherry Tree Luke knew what to do.

"Claudius Augustus came with a big move, but never really got by as my horse dug-in."

Refusing to let Claudius Augustus pass, Cherry Tree Luke would only be urged once, that being at the seven-eighths mile pole, as he'd go on to hold firm and win ($8.60) by 1-1/4 lengths.

Owned by Michael Lugar, the gelding stopped the timer at 2:02.1, thus recording his 11th win of the year. Claudius Augustus finished in second in a nice tightener off a layoff, and Dramanotherdream (Dan O'Mara) finished 3-1/4 lengths farther back, in third.

"He raced real well," finished Plano.

Live racing will continue at Cal-Expo on Saturday at 5:45 p.m., pacific and on Sunday at 5:40 p.m. On Saturday, the Super High-5, in race eight, has a carryover of $3,286.51, and the total estimated pool is $15,000. (Sacramento)

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