Tabatha Canarr worked out a perfect pocket trip aboard her pupil Hillcrest Love to earn the first driving win of her career at Balmoral Park last Sunday, Jan. 16.
Canarr and Hillcrest Love settled into the pocket from Post 2 in the fourth race and followed Whatsalittlerain (John Roberts) through fractions of :29.2, 1:00 and 1:29.2 while 1-2 favourite Fox Valley Shimmer (Mike Oosting) applied first over pressure.
Canarr sent Hillcrest Love up the rail as they moved into the stretch and ushered the four-year-old mare on to win in 1:59 by three-quarters of a length. Polo Event (Robert Smolin) came on for second while Whatsalittlerain edged out Fox Valley Shimmer for third.
Hillcrest Love paid $9.20 to win as the 7-2 second choice. The daughter of I Scoot Hanover-Surenuffinluvwithu picked up her first win of the year in four starts and second lifetime pushing her earnings to $11,778 for owners Alvin and Lexi Miller of Bunker Hill, Indiana.
The victory was Canarr’s first in the bike from 13 starts over the past two years. The 25-year-old resident of Anderson, Indiana is the daughter of driver Todd Warren and Kelly Canarr, who works for trainer Mike Weller.