La Diva De Rosa lucky charm for Tupper

La Diva De Rosa finished up the 2019 harness racing season in style at Cal Expo Harness, as the mare did the track-and-attack to perfection on December 27 to record her 22nd lifetime victory for owner/breeder Cindy Tupper, trainer Richard Bertrand and pilot Jacob Cutting.

The newly-turned 9-year-old distaffer has over $90,000 in earnings and sports a 1:53 career standard. She starts from post seven in the first on Saturday.

"She's turned out to be my lucky number three," said Cindy when asked about the bay homebred. "She's the third foal out of Keystone Rosedale, who we call Rosie, by Little Steven.

"She was born on June 3, 2011 and has been performing very well. She set her lifetime mark here on April 2, 2018, with Ryan Grundy driving."

La Diva De Rosa prefers to save her best for last, which was the case in that victory two starts back over a good track. "Jacob said she's a pleasure to drive, doesn't do anything wrong and gives her all," said a proud Tupper.

"She's a small mare, but she's mighty when she races!"

There are two wagers offered here each night with a reduced 16 percent takeout rate – the 20-cent Pick 5 and the 20-cent Pick 4. The Pick 4 comes with a $30,000 guaranteed gross pool on Fridays and a $40,000 guarantee on Saturdays.

Brighten Your Life eyes a hat trick

Brighten Your Life, fresh from back-to-back scores, looks to keep the momentum going in Friday night's featured $6,700 Filly and Mare Open.

Watch and Wager LLC will present 12 races with first post at 6:10 p.m. The main event goes as the third contest on the evening.

Brighten Your Life is a 7-year-old daughter of Shark Gesture who is owned by Tyler Gunderson and Jenna Cornelison with Cornelison training and James Marshall IV once again doing the honors.

In last week's assignment, Marshall shot right to the front with the dark-hued mare and the issue was never in doubt as she came to the wire with three lengths to score as the 7-2 third choice.

Brighten Your Life did her work from the No. 5 slot in a seven-horse field that night and is now asked to depart from the outside post in a field of six.'

Danciningthesound put in her usual strong finish in last week's clash at this level, but had to settle for the place money for the second straight time. The Alan Cooper colorbearer is conditioned by Kathie Plested and will once again have Mooney Svendsen guiding.

Completing the line-up are Virgin Eyes with Jacob Fox; Capitol Hill, Steve Wiseman; Shock N Awe, who will have the services of Nick Roland; and Brian's Magic Girl, who leaves from the cozy rail with Gerry Longo giving directions.

By Mark Ratzky, for Cal Expo Harness