In the first of three $15,000 events, the first two held as non-wagering events, this for the sophomore trotters, Sheila's Dream would not be caught.

Leaving from post one in the field of five and yielding into the first turn, driver Rick Plano moved his charge back to the outside just before the field had traveled 3-16ths of a mile, into a :29.3 opening quarter.

"When I went back to the front I wanted to keep on going because I didn't want anybody to go to the front," Plano stated.

Making the lead past the quarter pole and reaching the half-mile juncture in :58.3, Plano tippy-tapped his filly to the 9-16ths mile pole, and got the response he wanted.

"She was really strong getting over to the half like she did and I kind of thought that nobody could stay with her, so I kept on going."

Opening up the lead with every stride on the final turn and leading by four lengths midway through the bend, as well as at the three-quarter mile marker, timed in 1:28, Plano and his charge found themselves all by themselves at the head of the lane.

Now under minor urging at the seven-eighths mile pole, as well as with a sixteenth of a mile to go, there'd be no catching Sheila's Dream, as she'd score by 2-3/4 lengths.

Owned by Maurice Sigmon in partnership with trainer George Reider, Sheila's Dream stopped the timer at 1:58.2, a lifetime mark. Dani California (Tim Maier) rallied nicely with trot to be second, and Firewall (Rich Wojcio) finished another 3-3/4 lengths farther back, in third.

"It was a good race for her and it's especially good when they're good at Stakes time," Plano finished.

Three-year-old pacers were next in the spotlight, as Castle Oaks got back on the winning track.

Coming away in third position from post position six into a :27.4 first-quarter, trainer Tim Maier had to check his filly as well as get around an interfered Haggin Oaks (James Kennedy) at the 5-16ths mile pole.

Now inheriting the pocket after quickly closing three lengths by the three-eighths mile station into a :58 first-half, Castle Oaks looked loaded at the three-quarter mile marker, timed in 1:27.2. Out for the drive at the head of the lane and urged, Castle Oaks took over the lead in the blink of an eye at the seven-eighths mile pole and under urging drew away to win by six lengths.

Owned by breeder Alan Kirschenbaum, in partnership with Denise Maier, Castle Oaks paced to a lifetime mark of 1:55.1. Cinnamon (Luke Plano) was placed second from third, and Persuade Me (Lemoyne Svendsen) was placed third from fourth. Silver Bloom (Rick Plano) finished second but was disqualified and placed sixth for interfering with Haggin Oaks past the quarter pole.

In the third and final Sires Stakes, contested on the wagering portion of the card, So Relentless exploded the tote board.

Prior to starting from post-position eight in the field of the same number, driver Gilbert Herrera was blunt about his chances.

"I gave her a chance last week and the trip was tough and it turned out she was no good," Herrera said. "So I really didn't give her any chance tonight, especially from the eight hole."

Coming away in last into a :28.2 first-quarter, Herrera moved his filly to the outside past the three-eighths mile pole with two lengths to cover.

Catching her cover and third-over at the half mile marker, timed in :58.1, Herrera was pleased.

"She was feeling good and following pretty good and I liked where I was."

With the field now approaching the five-eighths mile station, So Relentless gapped cover by 2-1/2 lengths.

"She was running in a little on the turn, plus she's not the best gaited thing -- so I had to be careful with her."

Back on the back of her cover at the three-quarter mile marker, timed in 1:27.2, Herrera liked what his charge was showing him.

"She showed me some ambition at the three-quarters and I gave myself a shot."

Tipping four-wide for the drive, Herrera knew what type of urging was best for his youngster.

"She's a baby and I didn't want to beat up a young horse, so I just hand-urged her, and she responded and was pretty good down the stretch."

Taking over the lead with a sixteenth of a mile to go, and under light urging to the wire, So Relentless won by 1-1/2 lengths, at a whopping mutuel of $146.20.

Owned by the J J J Stables and Alan Anderson, the Gordon Graham-trained lass stopped the timer at 1:57.3, a lifetime mark. Upncoming Prospect (Bruce Clarke) finished second, and Serengeti Sunset (Steve Hyman) came on late and finished one length farther back, in third.

"She raced very well and will probably be a nice filly when she gets more experience," Herrera concluded.

Live racing will continue at Cal-Expo on Saturday at 5:35 p.m., pacific and on Sunday at 5:40 p.m. On Saturday, a carryover of $9,231.76 will be added into the Super High-5 pool (race 8). The total estimated pool will be $25,000.