The best pacers and trotters on the Cal Expo grounds were in action on Saturday night (December 31), and James Kennedy was the pilot for both.
In the Winners-Over pace, for a purse of $4,500, Haggin Oaks was the pocket-rocket.
 |
| James Kennedy |
Leaving from post two in the field of five for her trainer, it took the five year-old an eighth of a mile to get a brief lead before yielding well past the eighth into a :28 opening-quarter, a quarter that could have gone faster had driver Luke Plano not taken a hold of Marlin Hanover once making the lead. Did Kennedy use his mare?
"I did use her some because Mooney (Lemoyne Svendsen) pushed the issue pretty good from the one-hole with Ivegotwhatuneed," said Kennedy. "But it didn't concern me because I could see I was going to get a trip because Luke left with Marlin Hanover."
Now sitting in the pocket in an easier second-quarter to a half-mile time, traveled in :57.2, Kennedy, for good reason, would soon give his charge a couple of quick urges at and past the five-eighths mile pole.
"I was just trying to keep her up on the bit and on Luke's helmet, and she responded."
Getting set for the drive at the three-quarter mile marker, timed in 1:26.3, Kennedy had additional reasons to now be optimistic.
"I was sitting pretty comfortable and was just biding my time while she was feeling good - - and her feeling good made me feel pretty good."
On the move just to the head of the lane and now being asked, Haggin Oaks moved forward and soon took a slim lead with a sixteenth of a mile to go, then while continuing to be urged, drew clear on the wire by one-length. Owned by Shari Burns, Ferris Funk & Gerald Cimini, Haggin Oaks won ($5.40) in 1:54.2, thus recording her 30th career win. Cycle Power (Steve Wiseman) closed fast late to finish in second, and Marlin Hanover finished a half of one-length farther back, in third.
"She's a nice mare who does everything I ask of her and was strong in the stretch. It was a solid race for her because I got a little trip for her for once as she didn't have to race on the front - - and she raced really well off of it, plus she beat the boys," finished Kennedy.
In the Winners-Over trot, also for $4,500, Putoneonnetformom started off a consecutive driving double for Kennedy.
Coming away fourth from post-four in the field of five into a :30.2 first-quarter, Kennedy, with the pace being slow, moved his seven year-old to the outside at the 5-16ths mile station, and had the lead with 9-16ths of a mile to go while now under a decent grip into a 1:00.4 first-half. Getting a notch let out to the midway point of the final turn, Putoneonnetformom had 2-1/2 lengths on her foes at the three-quarter mile pole, timed in 1:31. Now under wheel-disc urging into the stretch, then all-out the rest of the way, the gelding wouldn't be caught while reporting home by 1-3/4-lengths. Owned by Jeff, Gerald & Diana Cimini, the Rocky Stidham trained trotter won ($8.00) in 1:59.1. Shelby County (Anthony Succarotte), also trained by Stidham, finished in second, and Franks Best (Lemoyne Svendsen) finished one-length farther back, in third.
On the 15-race card, leading driver Steve Wiseman had four winners, giving him nine over the last two cards.
Live racing resumes on Friday (January 6) & Saturday (January 7) at 6:00 p.m. (PST). On Friday, Cal Expo offers free parking & free admission after 4:30 p.m. Also on Friday, Cal Expo offers Happy Hour between 6:00-8:30 p.m., where $2 Beer, $2 Wine & $2 Buffalo Wings an order is offered.
Cal Expo now offers a reduced 15 percent takeout rate on all Pick 4’s (Thursday/Friday nights in partnership with the USTA Strategic Wagering Committee). In addition, all Late Pick 4’s will come with a $10,000-guaranteed pool. On Saturday nights, there will be a 0% takeout on successful Late Pick 4 tickets made at Cal Expo or at Twinspires.com.
