By Mark Ratzky, publicity – Cal Expo Harness
Despite
being saddled with the demanding No. 9 post in last week’s opening leg of the
Joe O’Brien Series, Bette Davis came through with flying colors for trainer
George Anthrop and pilot Tyler Smith.
The
4-year-old Moxie offspring was unhurried early as is her custom, made a big
move off the final turn and motored by the leaders with a :28 flat final
quarter to seal the deal by two lengths. She also shaved a second and a tick
off her lifetime standard with the 156 final clocking.
“I
bought her last spring from the Desomers,” Anthrop related when asked about the
Toman Enterprises colorbearer “She’s out of a good mare that Bob Johnson used
to train that I remembered.”
Bette
Davis Eyes has had her hands full chasing divisional leaders Show Runner and
Strings in Sire Stakes action, but appears to be right at home under the cozier
conditions of the Joe O’Brien. She used her patented late kick to get the job
done.
“She
definitely prefers to come from off the pace,” her mentor noted. “Because of
that, I guess the 9 post wasn’t as bad as it can be for some horses. Tyler was
driving her for the second time and said she’s a real nice filly.”
Despite
the fact that she’s made nearly 30 starts in her career, Anthrop noted the mare
still has plenty of room for improvement. “She’s still green out there, shying
away from things, and has some learning to do. We’ve been trying a lot of
different equipment and things seem to be coming together.”
SATURDAY NIGHT WILL FEATURE
FREE ADMISSION AFTER 4 P.M. WITH $1 BEER, COFFEE, HOT DOGS AND SODA.
HANDICAPPER DAVE BROWER WILL ALSO BE LIVE ON SITE BOTH FRIDAY AND SATURDAY, SO
BE SURE TO STOP BY THE SIMULCAST CENTER AND SAY HELLO.
Rich Dessert,
Strings headline co-features
Rich
Dessert, dropping out of a spot where he was knocking heads with the best
trotters on the grounds; and Strings, fresh from upsetting arch-rival Show
Runner in last week’s Sires Stakes clash for the 4-year-old pacing mares, get
the top billing in Friday night’s co-features at Cal Expo.
A
14-race card is on tap Friday with a first post of 5:20 p.m. The featured pace
goes as the sixth on the program while the trotting main event immediately
follows in the seventh-race slot.
Rich
Dessert is a 5-year-old son of Rich Boy who is owned by Denise Maier and is
driven and trained by husband Tim. His most recent victory came under these
conditions on December 20 when he looped the field to win going away.
Since
that score, the Maier performer has made three of his next four appearances at
the Open level, chasing home the likes of Inside Broadway, Franks Best and El
Azteca. He should be very much at home at this level and will be dangerous no
matter how things shake out early.
Axel
made a miscue while on the lead in last week’s Open, but could easily rebound
in this spot. He was a solid third in the previous mile after a demanding
journey and figures to have his share of supporters. George Reider trains, Dave
Siegel drives and they are the co-owners along with Robert Thronson and Greg
Robinson.
Strings
is a homebred daughter of Hi Ho Silverheel’s who carries the banner of Rod and
Wayne Knittel with Bob Johnson the conditioner and Mooney Svendsen in his usual
position in the sulky. After finishing second to Show Runner in four straight
appearances, she turned the tables in last week’s Sire Stakes.
Strings
went immediately to the lead in that affair and enjoyed a comfortable advantage
to the head of the stretch with Show Runner sitting in the pocket. She came
with a sparkling :27 final quarter for Svendsen to hold off Show Runner by a
head while picking up a trophy in the process.
