Royal Mistress made 81 career starts before heading south of the border in December to test her luck stateside. Given the lines she’s produced since she made the trip, Royal Mistress is probably happy that she made the trek.
After having faced some tough company in the Open ranks at Cal Expo, Royal Mistress got some class relief last week and responded with a solid victory for James Kennedy. She’ll be back with the Open group on Friday night (Feb. 7) at the California oval.
The six-year-old mare is owned by Kevin Anderson, currently hails from the Gordie Graham barn, and has won four of her seven starts since arriving at Cal Expo.
“She’s got a big heart and a real good finish,” driver James Kennedy stated when asked about the mare (he has now driven her five times). “I really appreciate Gordie giving me so many live drives.”
Kennedy’s first two teamings with Royal Mistress resulted in victories in conditioned company, then she stepped up to the Open ranks for her next two starts and had to settle for minor awards behind divisional leaders Alwaysalittlemore and Virgin Eyes.
“Those are a couple of real nice mares and she did have some poor cover the first time she raced at that level,” Kennedy noted.
Royal Mistress returned to conditioned competition for last week’s assignment and was dispatched as the 9-5 choice. In the tilt, she came first over along the backside and went on to prevail in what was a clear-cut decision.
“It really wasn’t the plan to come out that soon, but the leader really backed up the pace and I didn’t have much choice,” Kennedy said. “She was awfully strong that night and just kept going.”
Alwaysalittlemore, Virgin Eyes do battle
Alwaysalittlemore, who is seeking her third straight victory, and Virgin Eyes, who has been her most immediate victim in those last two outings, head the cast for Friday night’s featured $5,600 Filly and Mare Open Pace.
There will be 12 races presented under the ‘Watch and Wager LLC’ banner. First post is set for 6:10 p.m.
Alwaysalittlemore is a six-year-old daughter of Always A Virgin who races for Maria Alvarez and Terrence Smith, takes her lessons from Edward Hernandez, and will once again have Luke Plano at the helm. The bay mare recorded a lifetime-best 1:52.3 win while capturing the measure of an Open II field on January 18, then came back last week and made every pole a winning one in the Open (she held safe by a half-length over Virgin Eyes).
Virgin Eyes is a dark-hued five-year-old mare who carries the banner of Aleksandra Karl (Jacob Fox does the driving and training). She has been runner-up in her last three appearances and has completed the exacta behind Alwaysalittlemore in the last pair.
Completing the cast will be Brighten Your Life with James Marshall IV; Dancingonthesand, Mooney Svendsen; Shock N Awe with Nick Roland; Royal Mistress, James Kennedy; and Brians Magic Girl, who leave from the cozy rail slot with Gerry Longo.
(With files from Cal Expo)