Rockys Z Tam, fresh off a 1:50.4 winning effort in conditioned company a week ago, stepped up to the top Open ranks and promptly won that, as well, stopping the timer in 1:51.1 for Ricky Macomber Jr.
The five-year-old gelded son of World Of Rocknroll took home the major share of the $12,000 purse in pinning a photo finish defeat measuring a neck over the pacesetting Respectable Dream, handled by Rick Plano.
Bluehourpower, also from the Macomber Stable and driven by Corey Braden, finished third, two and a half lengths away while Fritzie Pic Up Man finished fourth. Mystic Desire was fifth in the quintet.
It was a “picture perfect” journey for Rockys Z Tam, who left alertly from the rail, allowing Respectable Dream to take command around the initial turn and on to a quarter in a hot :26.2. At this juncture, Fritzie Pic Up Man was third followed by Bluehourpower and Mystic Desire.
On the backside after a half in :55, both Bluehourpower and Mystic Desire tilted to the outside, but a :27.3 third panel left those two unable to dent significantly into the leader’s margin of one and a half lengths past that third station in 1:22.3.
Turning for home, Macomber left the coziness of his pocket and Rockys Z Tam began gnawing away at the leader, gaining an ever-so-slight advantage just a couple of strides from the wire.
After the race, Macomber said, “Well, we sure got a ‘picture perfect’ journey, didn’t we? Those first and third quarters were pretty good and we were just drafting along. Once we straightened away, I tilted him [Rockys Z Tam] out and he kept grinding until he got it done.
“It was a very nice mile for him...and me, too!”
Trained by Jamie Macomber for the Z Tam Stables, Rockys Z Tam won for the second time in four starts this semester, pushing his earnings this young season to $11,570.
Lifetime, Rockys Z Tam has bounty of $116,521.
Even-money on the toteboard, Rockys Z Tam paid $4.20 to win.
The same Macomber, Macomber, Z Tam Stables tandem also teamed up to score in the $10,000 Open 2 Pace with Uncmprmising Z Tam, as this four-year-old altered son of Shadyshark Hanover made a quarter move to the top and, off that :26.2 opener, carded panels of :55.1 and 1:23 en route to a 1:51.3 win.
Trained by Jamie Macomber and with Ricky Macomber Jr. in the bike for the Z Tam Stables, Uncmprmising Z Tam scored by three-parts of a length over the late-surging First Of Itskind (Tom Jackson). Heart Felt (Bryce Fenn) finished third, just a nostril further back while Hes A Lock finished a fast-closing (:27.3) fourth. The Optimist picked up the final award in the field of eight.
The winner now has nine lifetime victories and $242,563 on his career card.
Off at even-money, Uncmprmising Z Tam paid $4 to his multitude of backers.
Monday's Pompano program features the ever-popular "Over The Hill Gang" trot with the tough nine-year-old gelding My Revenuer after his fifth straight win for owner/trainer Tom Petri. Brad Kramer is expected in the sulky back of My Revenuer, who has been installed as the 2-1 morning line favourite.
Among the competitors this week is Shes All In, the eight-year-old mare who has been competitive in Open company over this season. Owner/trainer Rick Plano will be in the sulky back of the gutsy daughter of Revenue S.
Pair of Carryovers Spark Monday Pompano Program
A pair of carryovers and a $10,000 guaranteed Pick-4 pool will make things ‘better for the bettor’ on Monday night at Pompano Park.
With Pompano Park's Pick-6 paying five of six on Sunday night, the carryover for the Monday program is a healthy $4,412. The Pick-6 encompasses races three through eight.
The Super Hi-5 went unscathed on Sunday night, as well, and that carryover has ballooned to $18,620.79 for the Monday card.
Finally, Pompano Park's Pick-4, conducted on races six through nine, has a guaranteed pool of $10,000.
Post time is set for 7:20 p.m.
(With files from Pompano Park)