First Of Itskind, handled by Mike Simons, took full advantage of a sizzling :25.4 opening panel by the favoured Sing For Me George and wore that one down in the final stages to score a repeat win in Pompano Park’s $12,000 Open Handicap Pace on Sunday night.

At the outset, Sing For Me George (Kevin Wallis), off as 3-5, zipped off the wings and blazed through the first quarter in that aforementioned :25.4. While a :29.3 breather left Sing For Me George in front half way through the mile in :55.2, First Of Itskind, away fourth, was on the move and able to sprint to within 2-1/2 lengths of the leader.

On the backside, First Of Itskind kept grinding forward, denting a :27.2 third panel and moving within 1-1/2 lengths of the leader turning for home. In the lane, First Of Itskind, kept gnawing away, finally getting to the front a sixteenth from home and widening the margin to the line. The winner’s margin was 1-1/4 lengths at the end of the 1:50.4 mile with Rockntouch (Mickey McNichol) third, 3-3/4 lengths away.

“I remember driving this horse a couple of years ago and, if I recall, the track was very heavy that day and he had an outside post, so he didn’t do too well,” said driver Mike Simons. “Jason (trainer Robinson) said he was very strong in winning his last start and can brush pretty good.

“He certainly did that tonight because he just had real good determination and didn’t give up, even though he was out pretty much the entire last lap. He went a very courageous mile.”

Trained by Robinson for owner Robert Main, First Of Itskind, a six-year-old gelded son of Western Terror, pushed his 2017 scorecard to 3-1-2 in seven starts, good for $22,140.

Lifetime, First Of Itskind won for the 19th time in 98 starts and now shows a career bankroll of $188,941. He paid $5.20 to win.

In other action, Northern Companion, a winning fixture here at Pompano Park over the past several seasons, reached a milestone on Sunday night by winning for the 50th time during his brilliant career.

The now nine-year-old gelded son of Cambest, purchased for $8,500 from an Ohio sale back in 2011, Northern Companion has been a resident of the Howard Klohr Stable since then and has 40 of his 50 wins at Pompano Park.

Sunday night’s win, in a conditioned event was his first of the year in two starts and pushed his career bounty to $327,238.

He raced this night under the banner of the Delray Duo Stable and returned $19.80 to win.

Racing continues on Monday night with a Sunday Pick-5 carryover of $5,264 spawning a $25,000 guaranteed pool. The Monday Pick-5 kicks off with race one.

The track is also offering a $10,000 guarantee on the Pick-4, conducted on races 5 through 8.

Pompano Park’s Pick-6 also went unscathed on Sunday night and has a carryover of $3,661 going into the Monday program.

Post time is 7:20 p.m.

PICK-5 CARRYOVER SPAWNS $25,000 MONDAY GUARANTEED POOL

Racing continues on Monday night at Pompano Park with a trio of carryovers and two guaranteed pools in the ‘better for the bettor’ department.

The track’s Pick-5 event went unscathed on Sunday night and a $5,264 carryover has spawned a $25,000 guaranteed Pool for the Monday night program,

The Pick-5 is conducted on races 1 through 5.

The track is also offering a $10,000 guaranteed pool on the Pick-4, conducted on races 5 through 8.

The Pick-6 also went unsolved on Sunday night and has a carryover of $3,661 going into the Monday program.

Post time is set for 7:20 p.m.

(Pompano Park)