Odds On Racing - Harness Racing

Loyal Opposition captures $15,250 Sanabelle Island Pace in 1:54.2.

February 2, 2005

By Kimberly A. Rinker
LoyalOpposition

Loyal Opposition made total mincemeat of her competition in the $15,250 Sanabelle Island Pace on Wednesday night at Maywood Park. In rein to her regular driver Andy Miller, the winner of $1.8 million-plus scored her 31st victory in 54 career starts. The bay mare is owned by Daniel Waxman of Ontario, Canada.

"She was smooth leaving the gate and was very comfortable throughout the mile," Miller noted. "She often takes a few starts to kind of come back to herself, but tonight it was like she had never taken a break. She was very strong all the way to the wire, and I only chirped to her a few times to keep her attention and focus on her business."

Loyal Opposition was hustled quickly away from the gate by Miller, and had no problem reaching the top before straightening down the backside. The five-year-old daughter of Cole Muffler stopped the first quarter timer in a modest :28.2, and then easily coasted to a :57.4 half, with Robyn's Alive N (Dale Hiteman) sitting on her heels in the two-whole.

Cinder Best (Mike Oosting) was the first to pull just prior to the half-mile marker, and remained parked throughout the mile. Meanwhile, Loyal Opposition maintained her easy lead to a 1:26.1 three-quarters, while rival Lou Annie (Tony Morgan) pulled three-wide around the tiring Cinder Best. In the final turn Miller glanced confidently over his shoulder as his mare cruised to an easy victory by a length and three-quarters.

Robyn's Alive N held on for runner-up honors, while Miss Mackintush (Tim Tetrick) got up for third in the final yards. Lou Annie held on for fourth after a game try, with CJR Bogert (Pat Wolf) picking up the remaining check, with a tired Cinder Best finishing sixth and last.