Uncmprmising Z Tam, who was superbly handled by Ricky Macomber Jr., took top honours in Pompano Park's $11,000 Open Handicap Pace on Sunday (December 10), as he stopped the timer in 1:51.3 on a ‘very coolish’ night in south Florida.

The four-year-old gelded son of Shadyshark Hanover took command in his first long stride off the starting gate wings and wired together panels of :26.4, :55.4 and 1:23.2 before a :28.1 finale put him five and a half lengths ahead of Panocchio, who was driven by Wally Hennessey.

Fritzie Pic Up Man, with Tom Jackson in his bike, finished third after having enjoyed a journey in the garden spot. Sir Mammo finished fourth. Dees Rocketman, last in this classy octet most of the way, rallied to finish fifth.

As the wings folded, Uncmprmising Z Tam rocketed off the wings and into the lead with Fritzie Pic Up Man also alert leaving, but yielding for the two-hole trip. Meanwhile, Panocchio, assigned the outside post, was also on the prowl, but was unable to find a spot early, instead having to wend his way into third three-eighths into the mile.

On the backside, three-eighths from home, Hennessey was on the prowl again, but a :27.3 backside quarter thwarted his attempt and he was three lengths away turning for home.

In the lane, Uncmprmising Z Tam was on cruise control as he coasted under the line an easy winner.

Uncmprmising Z Tam, victorious at Pompano (Skip Smith Photo)

Macomber said after the race that, "This horse is very handy. He can win on or off the pace on any given night when things go his way. I figured that if I left with him and got the early jump, I may get a pretty fair advantage on the field.

"There might be a handful better, but maybe not three or four or five lengths better once we get going.

"He raced great tonight...very proud of him."

Trained by Jamie Macomber for the Z Tam Stables, Uncmprmising Z Tam won for the sixth time this year in what was his 32nd start vault his earnings to $88,790. Lifetime, the four-year-old has $320,978 on his scorecard to go along with his 1:49.1 mark at Hoosier Park.

As the even-money favourite on the tote-board, Uncmprmising Z Tam paid $4.20 to win.

In the Super Hi-5 finale, Spirit Shadow, with Dave Ingraham handling the lines, sprung a 28-1 upset, which keyed a ‘Hi-5’ finale payoff of $18,660.20 for the 20-cent investment.

Racing continues at Pompano Park on a five-night-a-week schedule – Saturday through Wednesday – with post time set at 7:20 p.m.

(Pompano Park)