Despite being saddled with the demanding nine-hole in last week’s opening leg of the Joe O’Brien Series, Bette Davis came through with flying colours for trainer George Anthrop and pilot Tyler Smith.
The four-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 final quarter to seal the deal by two lengths. She also shaved a second and a tick off her lifetime standard with the 1:56 final clocking.
“I bought her last spring from the Desomers,” Anthrop related when asked about the Toman Enterprises colourbearer “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 nine 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.”
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 four-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 first post at 5:20 p.m. The featured pace has been carded as the sixth race on the program. The main event for the trotters immediately follows in the seventh-race slot.
Rich Dessert is a five-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 Silverheels that 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.
(Cal Expo)