from Meadowlands Media Relations

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – March 25, 2005 – Loyal Opposition, the Dan Patch Award winner as Older Pacing Mare of the Year in 2004, signaled her intent to defend that title with a series sweep, capturing the $122,520 Overbid Final in a stakes record time of 1:49.4 on Friday night at the Meadowlands.

The previous stakes record of 1:51 flat was shared by Sanabelle Island [2000], Yes Its True [2002] and Carolina Sunshine [2004].

Lisa Photo

Loyal Opposition captured the $122,520 Overbid Final in a stakes record time of 1:49.4 on Friday night at the Meadowlands.

Loyal Opposition [$4.20, $3.00, $2.40], sent off as the even money favorite in the fifth race, brushed to the lead before the half and sprinted away at the top of the stretch for a three-length victory over a fast-closing She’s My Belle [$5.20, $3.20]. Carolina Sunshine [$2.60], the 2004 Overbid winner, was third by four and a half lengths.

The $61,260 winner’s share of the purse pushed Loyal Opposition’s career earnings to $1,994,913. She races for Daniel Waxman of Ancaster, Ontario.

“Today I used her a little bit leaving, but when she got the top, she was comfortable,” said winning driver George Brennan. “She felt really good, and I expected a good race from her. Getting those perfect trips [winning her two preliminary legs] were good for her. They just set her up for tonight. With the return of Rainbow Blue and Glowing Report, it’s going to be an interesting class of horses.”

Trained by Erv Miller, Loyal Opposition now has five wins and one second in seven starts this year. The five-year-old daughter of Cole Muffler has a career record of 35 wins, 11 seconds and nine thirds from 60 starts and a world record equaling mark of 1:48.4.

In the seventh race, the co-featured $104,450 Matt’s Scooter Final, Jenna’s Choice [$9.80, $4.20, $2.80] surged off a three-wide move on the turn for home to score a three and a quarter length victory over 2-1 favorite Gryffindor [$3.40, $2.60]. You Tell Gordy [$5.60] was third by seven and a half lengths.

Jenna’s Choice, driven by Brian Sears, paced the mile in 1:50.1, a stakes record, chipping four-fifths of a second off the previous mark of 1:51 set by Four Starzzz King in 2004.

Jenna’s Choice, a three-year-old gelded son of Jenna’s Beach Boy, claimed his second straight series title. He won the $95,000 Junior Trendsetter Final on February 26 at the Meadowlands with a front-end trip.

“He was really fired up that night, but tonight we looked for a trip,” said Sears. “We had dull cover, but the horse responded well and it turned out okay. He was real good, and I let him drift [in the final turn]. He’s versatile as long as he behaves.”

“Actually the race went real well,” said Tammy Silva, who trains in partnership with her husband, Mark. “When he trains, he likes to come from off the pace. I saw Brian duck in and then they started to roll on the front and I knew it was good for us. He came home great. I was just thrilled.”

Breaks in stride have marred the pacer’s career but he now has three wins in 10 starts this year and six in 21 lifetime for a career bankroll of $104,450.

He was purchased this year by his trainer, Mark Silva of Little Ferry, New Jersey; Clifford Pattick of Montvale, New Jersey and Daniel Borgo of Randolph, New Jersey. He is eligible to the Suslow Series and the Berry’s Creek this spring.