The month of March roared in at Pompano Park when the tiny Skip To My Lou came in like a lion to take top honours in Monday's (March 1) $11,000 Open Handicap Pace.

The five-year-old gelded son of Sweet Lou got picture perfect handling from 21-year-old Joe Chindano Jr. to score a two-length win in 1:51, his fifth in seven seasonal starts.

Rebellious (Wally Hennessey) was second after cutting much of the mile while Alluneedisfaith N (Mike Simons) was another neck back in third.

As the wings folded, Skip To My Lou, usually content to work from off the pace, changed strategy this night and push the gate out of his way to take the field through a hot :26.3 opening panel before Rebellious took over once they straightened away the first time. Rebellious then carded subsequent panels of :55.4 and 1:23.3 and turned for home with a length advantage which began to melt as Skip To My Lou left the cozy pocket and began gnawing away before taking charge midway through the stretch.

In a post-race interview, Chindano said, “What can I say? He brought his suit and tie and lunch box to work, and was ready to go to work tonight. He raced awesome. He’s just a tiny, mighty mite — maybe 14 hands — that has a lion-hearted motor.”

The win pushed his lifetime earnings to $141,531 — $29,450 of that this season, which exceeds his entire bankroll from last season. Off as the 3-2 favourite, Skip To My Lou paid $5.00.

The $9,500 Open II-III Handicap went to Prairie Panther, holding off the warrior Southwind Amazon (David Miller) by a scant nose in 1:51.2 with Lets Roll (Mike Simons) third.

In that event, there was a ferocious war early as the three horses with the outside posts all left seeking the lead: Unlikeanyother (post 5), Southwind Amazon (post 6) and Prairie Panther (post 7). Unlikeanyother reached the opening station in :26.4 with Southwind Amazon outside. After racing three-wide through the entire first panel, Prairie Panther reached the top after that hot first panel with Southwind Amazon now enjoying the coziness of the pocket.

After a :55.2 half, Unlikeanyother was on the move again from third and dented an official third quarter of :27.3. As that one's bid began to falter, Prairie Panther opened up a 1-1/2 length lead turning for home as Southwind Amazon found a seam and began gnawing away in a memorable photo finish.

But the photo showed Prairie Panther with his nostril in front for his first success of the year in six starts.

The seven-year-old son of Royel Millennium now has 42 career wins for breeder and co-owner Laurie Poulin who, in turn, co-owns with trainer Mike Deters. That is the second milestone for Prairie Panther in his last two starts: this one vaulting his earnings over the $400,000 plateau ($402,980) after his 100th career start in his last start. As the second choice at 7-5, Prairie Panther paid $4.80 to win.

Other notable performances on Monday were achieved by drivers Rick Plano, David Miller and Wally Hennessey. Plano had a hat trick on the program, scoring with McMach ($9.20) in a conditioned pace in 1:50.3, Rockin Machine ($19.00) in a $20,000-$30,000 claiming event in 1:52.1, and Bell I No ($14.60) in an Open III Pace in 1:52.1. Hennessey had a double, as well, with the aforementioned Prairie Panther and American Arrow ($3.20).

Finally, Grand Galup Semalu lit up the tote board with a $147.40 mutuel for Ken Holliday in the Super Hi-5 finale as the longest shot in the race, coming from last in the 10-horse field during the final quarter to score in 1:53.1. That keyed a 20-cent payoff of $2,151.40. That Super Hi-5 event now sports a carryover jackpot of $15,281.75 when racing continues on Tuesday night (March 2) at Pompano Park.

Tuesday's program also features a $20,000 guaranteed pool in the track's Pick-4. Post time is set for 7:20 p.m.

(Pompano Park)