Rockntouch, driven by Mickey McNichol, scored a decisive two-length win in Sunday’s $10,000 Open Handicap Pace at Pompano Park.
The five-year-old gelded son of Rock N Roll Heaven pinned the defeat on the pacesetting Arsenal, handled by John MacDonald, with Sing For Me George, with Kevin Wallis in the bike, third after dawdling near the back of the pack for most of the journey.
At the outset, Arsenal blasted off the wings into the early lead with Winyard Hanover settling in the garden spot while St Lads Lotto was away in good order the rail through an opening panel of :27.1. Three-eighths in, things started heating up as Pointsman pulled from fifth with Rockntouch catching his live cover and, half-way through the mile in :56, Pointsman was just a length away with Winyard Hanover sitting chilly in third and Rockntouch second over and E R Melvin third over.
The pace quickened on the backside and, when Arsenal hit the third station in 1:24, Pointsman was looking him in the eye with Rockntouch surging on a double-bubble binge that swept him to the lead once they straightened away and widening his advantage to the wire. He halted the teletimer in 1:52.1
In a post-race interview, driver Mickey McNichol related, “Well, in every race, there is an element of skill and an element of good luck.
“Dave (Ingraham) pulled fairly early and I was lucky enough to get a very good journey behind his horse (Pointsman). I kind of drafted along behind him and, around the final turn, I gave my horse room to roam and he was his usual strong self.
“Rockntouch made me look good tonight, so I was just a passenger on a very good horse.”
Owned by Salvatore Promuto along with the Fred Monteleone Stable, Rockntouch notched his fourth win of the year in 13 starts, good for $25,775. Lifetime, Rockntouch has banked $132,195 to go along with his mark of 1:51.2 set earlier this year at Pompano Park. He paid $14.80 to win.
Speaking of good luck, McNichol also drove the pacer Good Luck to a 29-1 upset victory in a conditioned event the race prior sparking a Pick-6 carryover of $7,281 going into Monday night’s program.
Trotters will be in the spotlight on Monday as Boli looks for a repeat win in the $10,000 Open Handicap. The five-year-old gelded son of Kadabra has been installed as the 8-5 morning line favourite and will have the driving services of Wally Hennessey.
The track will also offer a $10,000 guarantee of the Pick-4, in cooperation with the USTA Strategic Wagering Program.
Post time is 7:20 p.m.
PICK-6 CARRYOVER OF $7,281 FOR MONDAY NIGHT POMPANO CARD
With Pompano Park's Pick-6 unsolved on Sunday night, the carryover for the Monday night Pick-6 is a healthy $7,281.
Gabe Prewitt, director of racing at the south Florida oval, related, "Usually, we're bragging about our weather here in Pompano Beach but, on Monday night, it's the weather and the carryovers that make Pompano Park 'better for the bettor.' on Monday night."
The Pick-6 is conducted on Races 3 through 8.
Yet another healthy carryover is on the Super Hi-5 finale, which now stands at $62,573.79.
That wager challenges a player to select the first five finishers in order with the entire jackpot claimed when there is only one 20-cent ticket sold on the winning combination.
In the event of multiple winners, half of that night's betting pool is shared by those winners with the remaining half rolling over and added to the next night's carryover.
Sunday night's 7-5-6-1-8 winning combination had multiple winners with each receiving $613.94 for their 20 cent ticket.
Post time for the Monday program is 7:20 p.m.
(Pompano Park)