Driver Mike Simons was injured on Sunday night (Nov. 28) in the first of four non-wagering Stallion Stakes for two-year-olds at Pompano Park — three of which were walkover events.
That first event, with a $22,750 purse, featured a quartet of pacing fillies and was won by Prairie Merida, handled by Braxton Boyd, only after a mishap at the opening marker when Neverouttathefight, driven by Simons, appeared to take a bad step and went down, scattering the field.
It was Priaire Merida in front at that :28.2 opener and, with Neverouttathefight now out of the fight, Benicio, driven by Mike Micallef, took over the second spot some 15 lengths away half way through the mile in :57.4. With caution taking over on the backside, Benicio swept to the lead racing wide and had an eight-length advantage past the third station in 1:29.4. Around the final bend and turning for home, Prairie Merida began whittling away, caught the leader at mid-stretch and used a :29.3 finale of her own to win by four lengths in 2:01. Prairie Faline (Dave Ingraham) was third, well back after having to avoid the confusion.
Prairie Merida is trained by Mike Deters, who co-owns with Laurie Poulin, John Spindler and William Gordon. The daughter of Royel Millennium sent her scorecard to 3-2-0 in five starts, sending her juvenile bounty to $19,461.
As of Monday morning, Pompano did not have an update on the condition of Mike Simons.
The three walkovers went to Vinnie V, Oh No Not Again and Im Solar Powered.
Vinnie V, a gelded son of Six Of Diamonds making his first purse, toured his $17,000 walkover mile for pacers in 2:11.4 for Wally Hennessey, who was in the bike for trainer Kim Sears, who co-owns with Joe Chindano Sr.
Oh No Not Again, also driven by Hennessey, strolled around the Pompano five-eighths-mile oval in 2:14 to claim his $17,000 award in the colt/gelding trot. The gelded son of Desperado Don is trained by Frankie Bambrick for owner Lee Clarke.
Im Solar Powered, with Marc Major handling the lines for trainer/owner Luanna Beeson, earned $17,250 for her 2:19.1 workday in the two-year-old filly trot. With three seconds coming into the walkover, she reached the winner’s circle with earnings of $22,303.
The $14,200 featured Open Pace on the pari-mutuel program went to Maxdaddy Blue Chip, stepping up to the top class and winning in 1:51.
The nine-year-old gelded son of Sportswriter, who won last week in Open II company in 1:49.4, went another brave mile for Rick Plano in holding off the determined late bid of Actor Hanover (Kevin Wallis) by a head. Statement Made A (John MacDonald) was next, 2-1/4 lengths away while being a neck better than Scootnroll, who finished fourth. Double Metal, who set a track record for three-year-old pacing colts (1:49.4) last week, was fifth in the classy sextet.
At the outset, a war broke out with Statement Made A, Villiam and Maxdaddy Blue Chip with Actor Hanover away in good order fourth. After that early tussle, Maxdaddy Blue Chip took charge and took the field to a :27 opener... but not for long as Actor Hanover brushed up to take charge three-eighths into the mile but, again, not for long. Heading into turn two and over to the half, Maxdaddy Blue reclaimed the top spot, sped to a half in :55.1, and used a :27.2 backside panel to hold Villiam at bay past the third station. Turning for home, Actor Hanover had some room to leave the cozy pocket and engage in yet another war with Maxdaddy Blue Chip but the latter was still strong when it counted and held on to win.
Trained by Plano for owner/wife Maryann, Maxdaddy Blue Chip won for the fifth time this year (41st lifetime) to send his seasonal bankroll to $73,815 and $426,377 career-wise.
After the race, Plano said, “He’s very sharp right now. Did I drive him with confidence? It was more like ‘he drove me with confidence.’ He just wanted to be on the front end and, once a horse wants to go, it’s not a good idea to shut him down. So, I just let him ramble...”
As the third choice in the betting, Maxdaddy Blue Chip paid $6.20 to win.
Racing continues Monday with a competitive program highlighted by a $15,000 guaranteed Pick-4 pool with an industry low 12 per cent takeout. Also, there is a carryover in the 4th race pentafecta of $3,337 going in. The Super Hi-5 finale has a carryover jackpot that has ballooned to $10,907. Post time is set for 7:20 p.m.
(With files from Pompano Park)