By Mark
Ratzky, publicity – Cal Expo Harness
James
Kennedy had never driven the 4-year-old trotter Inside Broadway prior to
opening night here at Cal Expo, but in the ensuing three weeks they have
formed a solid partnership that resulted in a win at the head of the class last
weekend.
Inside
Broadway, who is owned, trained and was bred by Bob Johnson, checked in fourth
in his first start at this stand after making an extended first-over move at
the half, then was hard-used early in his next appearance and garnered the show
money. In last week’s tour, the trotter flexed his muscles with Kennedy’s
guidance and motored away to an impressive two and a half-length score.
“Bob
really didn’t give me any instructions for that first start,” James related
when asked about the October 5 outing. “I came first-over with him out of last,
he gave it a good try to deep stretch and then I got the impression he was a
little short.
“I
played it by ear for the second start and decided to leave with him. He had to
be used pretty hard in that opening quarter and I was happy with the effort. It
set him up nicely for last time.”
Sent
off at 9-2 from the No. 5 post for his most recent appearance, Inside Broadway
was able to take a three-hole tuck around the first turn while tracking Running
Aces invader Rich Dessert. He was out to engage the leader turning for home,
took a clear advantage soon after straightening for home and left little doubt
in a powerful mile.
“I
though it would be in our best interest to leave strong and make the top, at
least for a little while,” Kennedy noted. “That didn’t happen, but fortunately
I was able to duck in and drop third. He felt really strong when I pulled him
and he made the lead into the stretch. To be honest, I was surprised he won
that easily. Surprised, but very happy.”
Will
James Kennedy be pleasantly surprised again? We’ll find out after Saturday
night’s second race where Inside Broadway leaves from the No. 4 slot in the
field of six. Hoping to spoil a curtain call are Axle and Franks Best to this
outside and Alpine Hawk, Rich Dessert and Sharpshootennorris to his inside.
Top pacers, top trotters sharing the spotlight
Inside Broadway was a game first-over winner
in last week’s clash at the head of the division and eyes an encore in the Open
2 Trot, while Phantom Dan and One And Only are among the leading players in the
co-featured Open 2 Pace at Cal Expo Saturday night. A 13-race card is on tap
with first post set at 6:10 p.m.
A
4-year-old son of Broadway Hall out of the American Winner mare Inside Edition,
Inside Broadway is owned, trained and was bred by Bob Johnson and will once
again have James Kennedy giving directions.
It
had been a rather lean season for the trotter coming into last week’s action,
with just one victory to show from 22 trips to the post on the year, but the
Johnson representative made 9-2 look like a gift. He left for third-place tuck
for Kennedy, was first-over going into the final bend to put away the leader
and drew off by two and a half-lengths in a 1:58 3/5 tour.
Axle
was a solid runner-up at 9-1 that evening and is coming off back-to-back big
tries here, having taken the measure of a softer group in his previous outing.
George Reider trains and co-owns the son of Hard Rock N Roll, who was claimed
for $5,000 at Running Aces in August. David Siegel will be at the controls once
again and he co-owns the trotter with Reider, Bob Thronson and Greg Robinson.
Alpine
Hawk is a fan favorite with many victories over this layout and has to be
respected with Rich Wojcio in the sulky. He is on the verge of going over the
$200,000 earnings mark and was an easier-than-looks winner at this level two
weeks ago. Jim Winske owns and he hails from the Gordie Graham barn.
Franks
Best gives the Bob Johnson barn another solid look at the outcome. A multiple
stakes winner at this layout with $176,000 in the bank, he is looking to make
amends after checking in third last weekend as the 9-5 choice. The son of
Armbro Scribe can really roll home in the lane and always makes it interesting.
The
Open Pace looms a contentious affair and they will line up as follows from the
rail: Thedeadliestcast for trainer Gordie Graham; In Confident for the Bob
Johnson barn; Giant Sculpture for driver/trainer Gene Vallandingham; the Lino
Pacheco-conditioned One And Only and Phantom Dan for pilot/conditioner James
Kennedy.
