Cruizin K C, deftly handled by Mark O'Mara, edged by a stubborn Northern Companion turning for home and then held off the late-surging Cartoonist to eke out a narrow win over the latter in 1:51.4 in Pompano Park's $10,000 Open Handicap Pace on Saturday night.
Northern Companion was a clear third at the end of the mile, while Premier, pacing the fastest final quarter of the group (:27.1) finished fourth. Ideal Choice picked up the remaining minor prize in the septet.
Cruizin K C, a six-year-old altered son of Mach Three, leased by O'Mara, came from sixth mid-way through the mile and paced his final half in :54.1 to earn a neck decision for his second win of the year in six starts, sending his seasonal bankroll to $15,400 and lifetime earnings to $123,818.
With Northern Companion (Dave Ingraham) using uncharacteristic strategy and on the engine from the get-go clocking opening panels of :26.2 and :56.1, Cruizin K C was forced to pace in his third quarter in :26.3 just to get into the hunt around the final turn. These two arch rivals went stride for stride past the third station in 1:24 and until mid-stretch when 'K C' edged to the front, only to get a scare from the 28-1 outsider Cartoonist (Bruce Ranger) coming to the line.
In a post race interview, O'Mara said, "It was tight all the way around, I mean at the wire and in the deep stretch. We rubbed iron a little bit with Bruce's horse [Cartoonist] -- just incidental stuff. His horse proved he belongs. He went a big mile, but so did Cruizin K C. When I give him racetrack, he can really gather up some steam and he needed all of it tonight!"
As the even money favourite on the toteboard -- but actually 11-10 -- Cruizin K C paid $4.20 to win.
(With files from Pompano Park)