James Kennedy had never driven the four-year-old trotter Inside Broadway prior to opening night 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 odds of 9-2 from Post 5 in 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 thought 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 starts from Post 4 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 for 6:10 p.m.

A four-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 tour.

Axle was a solid runner-up at 9-1 that evening and is coming off back-to-back big tries at Cal Expo, 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 favourite with many victories over Cal Expo 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.

(Cal Expo)