With a start under her belt off a layoff, Haggin Oaks left no doubt she's already in top shape
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Open 2 Handicap Distaffers, racing for a $5,200 purse, were featured at Cal-Expo on Friday night (September 10), on which Haggin Oaks was too tough.
Before starting from post-position two in the field reduced to four with a scratch, trainer James Kennedy knew one thing, while hoping for another.
"Off my horses very good prep, I thought she had a very good chance to win," stated Kennedy. "I was just hoping Blue Note (Scott Cisco) would leave so I wouldn't have to cut the mile."
Getting his wish as Blue Note was sent to the front, Kennedy left softly with his charge and came away in third through moderate first-half fractions of :29 & :58.2. Was he concerned about the slow pace?
"Yes and no. The yes concern was because I know Blue Note has a very fast final-quarter and the slow first-half would enhance that. The no was because I was going to come with my horse and get even with Blue Note regardless of the pace and I felt I could out-sprint her."
Moving first-over with just less than 7-16ths of a mile to go, Haggin Oaks gained slightly under sharp handling.
"I was just rating her while trying to go nice and easy to get alongside Blue Note. When I saw Scott (Cisco) urge his horse and pop the earplugs to the five-eighths- - I just kept going on at the same rate, plus I wasn't asking."
Just 1-1/2-lengths back at the three-quarter mile marker, timed in 1:27.2, was Kennedy concerned that the stretch closing Scooter Babe (Steve Wiseman) was locked in the box while his mare was first-over?
"I wasn't really worried about Scooter Babe because I didn't think she could out-sprint me. I thought my chances were still very good because I was sitting nice and relaxed."
Gaining more late in the final-turn, Haggin Oaks soon accelerated at the seven-eighths mile pole while not being asked - - then was given a couple minor urges in the last sixteenth of a mile and wouldn't be caught.
"She was very game down the stretch and she did it all on her own - - I didn't drive on her hardly at all."
Owned by Shari Burns, Ferris Funk & Gerald Cimini, the four year-old won ($3.40) by one-length, in 1:55.2, a lifetime best. Blue Note finished in second, and Scooter Babe finished another half of one-length farther back, in third.
"She's a very nice mare that has a lot of potential," finished a proud Kennedy.
On the Friday night card, both Scott Cisco & Steve Wiseman had driving triples.
Live harness racing continues at Cal-Expo on Saturday (September 11) at 6:50 p.m. (PDT). On Saturday and every live card, Cal-Expo offers free admission, as well as free preferred & general parking after 4:30 p.m. Also on Saturday, its Dollar Night, on which hot-dogs; beer, soda, and wine will be sold for one dollar from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m.
Additionally now on every Saturday card, Cal-Expo offers a reduced 15 percent takeout rate on both the Early & Late Pick-4 wagers. Carryover in the Early Pick-4 (Races 2-5) is $4,976.59. Estimated total pool is $20,000! Additionally, the Late Pick-4 (Races 9-12) will have a $10,000 gross guaranteed pool.
(Cal-Expo)