Last month marked a return to use of the second tier at Cal-Expo, and there is no need to ask trainer Earl Kennedy if he approves of the rule.
Miss In Love, a trotting mare Kennedy conditions for Ron Lingle, drew the 10 hole for last week’s assignment, but got to start from the second tier. She parlayed that starting slot into a $24 upset with Steve Wiseman in the bike.
Miss In Love got away to a good early spot, made a powerful move to the lead at the three-quarters, opened up early in the drive and had just enough left to win by a head over the odds-on favourite, Cherry Tree Nicole.
“With winter coming, it’s a good idea to use the second tier, and obviously it worked out great for us,” Kennedy said. “It makes a big difference to go from there instead of starting on the far outside.
“It helped that Steve put up a terrific drive and moved her at just the right time. Around the barn, this is a mare who doesn’t show you much, but when she gets on the track it’s another story.”
Miss In Love was winning for the second time in her last three appearances and is now just two shy of the eight snapshots she took in 2009. Like her trainer said, she knows when it’s time to get down to business, and she showed it last week.
(Cal-Expo)