Sing For Me George, getting picturesque handling from Mickey McNichol, took top honours in Pompano Park's $11,000 Open Pace on Sunday night (January 7) as the 10-race program produced a season high handle of $754,675.

The aging nine-year-old gelded son of Bettors Delight tuned out his seven rivals with a 1:52.3 performance, silencing the fast-closing Fritzie Pic Up Man (Dave Ingraham) by a length with Drachan Hanover (Wally Hennessey) third, another half-length back.

Hollywood Sign finished fourth after an even performance while Bestinthebusiness picked up the nickel in the classy septet.

At the outset, Sing For Me George left from coveted post five and surged right to the front but yielded to Drachan Hanover just short of the opening marker reached in :27.2. From there, Sing For Me George enjoyed the pocket trip as Drachan Hanover reached the half in :55.4, as opposed to last week when he won off of an initial half in :57. On the backside, things began to heat up as Bestinthebusiness made his bid while McNichol sat chilly in the pocket on the helmet of the leader.

Turning for home, McNichol tilted Sing For Me George out and he gnawed his way to the front, easily hold off the late surging Fritzie Pic Up Man at the wire.

In a post-race interview, McNichol related, "Sing For Me George has a huge heart...a huge will to win. It's not like he doesn't have his aches and pains -- all athletes have their aches and pains after competing at the highest level -- but he sure has that winning attitude."

McNichol trains Sing For Me George for owner Joseph Martinelli, Sr. Kicking off his 2018 season, Sing For Me George won for the 28th time in his career measuring 156 starts, sending his lifetime bankroll to $483,371.

As the 6-5 tote-board favourite, Sing For Me George paid $4.60 to win.

The $9,500 Open II Pace went to Winyard Hanover (Hennessey), fresh off his world record performance as the fastest performer for a five-eighths mile distance over a five-eighths mile oval.

The eight-year-old altered son of Cams Card Shark took charge from his first long stride and continued unscathed to the wire with a 1:54.1 mile -- out in :57.3 and home in :56.3.

A nine-time winner in 2017, Winyard Hanover won for the 26th time career-wise, sending his bankroll swelling to $221,875. Trained by Mike Deters, who co-owns with Joel Warner, Winyard Hanover was 9-5 at the bell and returned $5.60 to win.

With handle for the Sunday night extravaganza a season high, the momentum is expected to continue on Monday night with a trio of carryovers sprinkled throughout the program.

$6,255 Pick 5 Carryover, $20,000G Pool for Pompano Monday

Although two horses were covered heading into the final leg of the 50-cent Pick 5 on Sunday at Pompano, no one had the 8-1 second choice, River Sport, with the mild upsetter creating a $6,255 carryover into Monday night’s card. Track officials, in conjunction with the USTA Strategic Wagering Program, have placed an ‘instant guarantee’ of $20,000 on the total pool Monday night. The Pick 5 begins in race one.

Fans will also enjoy a single-night carryover of $1,098 in the 50-cent Pick 6 beginning on Race 3, and a $66,515 carryover into the 20-cent Jackpot Hi-Five featured on the finale.

Live harness racing continues at the Isle Casino Pompano Park five nights per week, with a first post of 7:20 p.m. every Saturday through Wednesday.

(with files from Pompano Park)