by Mike Love
West Melton trainer Margo Nyhan will team up with partner Peter Davis, presenting five runners on day two of the Westport circuit today.
After a testing track on day one, Davis is hoping for a smoother ride in the sulky as he drives four of their five runners.
“We think the track played a role in how some of them went on the first day. The track was a bit worse than we would have expected. The weather has been good since, so we are hoping for better.”
In race 2 Ifyoucouldcwhatic ($15.00FF) moves to the unruly after not handling the track on day one.
“He’s not mentally there yet. But it wouldn’t surprise me if he came out and won. He’s a horse with some ability, but whether we see it today I’m not so sure. But will be one to follow. We put him on the unruly just to help him get away. The trip away will hopefully help him.”
Race 3 Kink ($5.00FF) lands a sweet draw of one, and will be looking to improve quickly from his pacing debut effort on the first day. The converted Love You pacer won three races as a trotter earlier this year for Nyhan and Davis.
“He’s only had the hopples on about seven times. He was just not trotting as good as he can. But Sean McCaffrey, who had him before us, called me one day and said before you sack the horse, try him with the hopples. We threw the hopples on a couple of weeks ago, and he qualified only the third time wearing them. He is a risk today, but going forward he will win a few as a pacer.”
Race 4 has a two pronged attack for Nyhan and Davis, with My Sweet Bella Rose ($5.00FF) and Honest Lies ($14.00FF).
My Sweet Bella Rose found the line well on the first day and will be looking to finish closer today. Robbie Close will reunite with the Sweet Lou filly again today.
“She went really good the first day. Robbie (Close) was really happy with her, and I think she will be the best chance of ours today.”
Honest Lies in the same race however will require more luck from his wider draw, although Davis was pleased with the Terror To Love’s debut effort on the first day.
“It was only his third time off the place. He’s more of a high speed horse. So an all weather track may be what will help him. His run on the first day was good, and he will be another one to follow going forward.”
Rounding out their chances is first day winner Here Comes Jane ($16.00FF) in race 5. Though Davis is weary of the big step up from maidens to take on a much deeper field than she beat on the first day.
“It’s a big step up. But she has trained better than a maiden. She has manners and is definitely a first four chance.”
Race one gets underway at 12:19pm.
