by Mike Paradise, publicity director, Maywood Park

Melrose Park, IL—Loyal Opposition made it back-to-back wins in the Chicago circuit’s Open Pace distaff division and she did it the hard way Wednesday night, racing outside of the 2-5 favorite Cinder Best the last half mile and still posting a 1:52.4 victory, just a tick off the Maywood Park track record for a 4-year-old mare.

Maywood Park photo

Loyal Opposition was “awesome,” according to driver Andy Miller

“This was an awesome performance by this mare tonight,” said winning driver Andy Miller. “Like I said earlier in the year, Loyal Opposition is the type of horse that needs a couple of races to get in shape and tonight just proved that fact. She raced outside of Cinder Best for most of the last half and she just grinded it out. My horse really wanted to beat her.”

Cinder Best (Eric Ledford) and Loyal Opposition (Andy Miller) were handicapped with the five and six posts, respectively in the six-horse $16,500 ninth race feature for fillies and mares.

Monterey (Mike Oosting) left from the two-slot and wrested the lead away from No. 1 Ess Jay Bee after the first turn and scooted to a quick :27.2 first panel. Ledford didn’t wait long to get Cinder Best on the move, taking her out of fifth on the backside with Loyal Opposition and Andy Miller right behind her.

Cinder Best, who was aiming for her seventh Open Pace season win on the circuit, cleared to the front at the :56 flat half (:28.3 second quarter) and found Loyal Opposition right outside of her. They raced as a team through a :27.4 third quarter, and from side to side in the last turn, but the Illinois bred mare wasn’t going to be denied, pulling away for a one and one-quarter length victory.

Monterey came on to get third, beaten three and three-quarter lengths by the 9-5 second betting choice.

“She is very versatile and can get around here or the big track really well,” continued Miller.” This was one of her most gutsy performances ever here…she’s really come back well.”

Six nights ago (April 29) the Cole Muffler offspring made her second season start a 1:51.2 triumph in Balmoral Park’s Open distaff pace for the Erv Miller Stable.

Loyal Opposition’s ($5.60) winners share of $8,250 Wednesday night edged her closer to the $1.4 million earnings plateau ($1,393,693) for Ancaster, Ontario owner Bob Waxman.