The New York invader Panocchio upset the highly vaunted Prairie Jaguar on Saturday night in Pompano Park's $10,000 Open Pace.
The winner, no stranger to South Florida's five-eighths mile oval, got the picture perfect handling from Bruce Ranger to pin a defeat measuring one and a quarter lengths on Prairie Jaguar, driven by Aaron Byron. Fancyfreeshark and Mike Micallef teamed up for show honours while Cartoonist finished fourth with Northern Companion picking up the "nickel."
Owned by Emile Johnson Jr. along with trainer Jim Mattison, Panocchio won for the 21st time in just 48 lifetime starts, sending his career bounty to $157,445 -- $108,570 this year on the strength of 13 wins in 24 starts.
Though starting from the outside eight post, Panocchio actually blasted out of the gate ahead of Prairie Jaguar, vaulting to the lead in the first couple of strides and taking the field to the opening panel in :27.
Prairie Jaguar, usually on the bit from the get-go, was a bit tardy this time around and only took command after the opener. He then rocketed over to the half in :54.3 and continued on the engine through three-quarters in 1:22.3.
Just short of that third station, Panocchio left the cozy pocket and began his attack, putting his head in front turning for home and sealing the seal with a :28 finale.
In a post race interview, Ranger had high praise for this four-year-old son of No Pan Intended, as well as both Jim and Vicki Mattison.
"You can drive this horse with two fingers...he's that handy. It wasn't always that way, though. At first, he could be very headstrong and up tight and tough to handle. Jim [trainer Mattison] has done just a remarkable job with him and Vicki's -- that's Jim's wife -- tender loving care has paid off in spades."
The large crowd on hand at Pompano Park actually made Panocchio the slight favourite -- 6-5 on the board -- and he returned $4.60 to his faithful.
(With files from Pompano Park)