Timon AS, driven by Peter Wrenn, made amends from his early miscue in his debut a week ago and went on to score a 1:53.2 win in Pompano Park’s $14,200 Open Handicap Trot on Tuesday night (Dec. 21).

The five-year-old gelded son of Lionhunter used a stirring :27.4 final quarter to edge by Max (David Miller) and the pacesetting Muscles For Life (Wally Hennessey) to score by a neck and send his yearly bounty over the $125,000 plateau. Sooo Handsome rallied for fourth while Wild And Crazy Guy picked up the nickel in the $2 million-winning septet.

As the wings folded, Max was sent forward along with Muscles For Life, with the latter emerging on top around the opening turn and taking the field through the quarter in a lively :27.2. At this juncture, Celebrity Pegasus was third with Timon AS a relaxed fourth.

Positions remained the same to the rated :57.2 half before Timon AS was on the move on down the backstretch first-up with Max staying chilly along the pylons -- these two were noses apart at the 1:25.2 third station behind Muscles For Life.

Once they fanned out turning for home, things tightened as Muscles For Life was confronted by Max and Timon AS, with Max sticking his head in front a sixteenth out but unable to hold off Timon AS at the wire.

“Well, he (Timon AS) was much cooler this week," said Wrenn after the race. "He was very hot last week with his new surroundings from Indiana and the long shipping process. Tonight, he was much more relaxed and ready for business. He’s five...but still green in some aspects. He’s had a big year. You know, exactly one year ago, we had him in a ‘10’ claimer and, I look back and say, ‘I am sure lucky that nobody claimed him that night!’”

Indeed!

Since Timon AS was purchased in late fall two years ago, he has banked $173,083 of his lifetime earnings for owner Michael Guest -- $126,710 this year alone. His scorecard for 2021 reads 12-5-5 in 38 starts for trainer Melanie Wrenn, with the win on Tuesday the 25th in 80 career starts.

Off at even-money on the toteboard, Timon AS paid $4 to his multitude of faithful.

The $12,600 Open II Trot went to Flagman for trainer Rick Plano, who was in the bike for owner/wife Maryann.

The talented four-year-old gelded son of Guccio enjoyed a picture perfect, second-over journey to roll by his foes once they straightened away to hit the wire in 1:55.1. The Lionking AS (Kevin Wallis) was second after a tough trip beginning from the outside eight post. Mr Houdina (Wally Hennessey) was next after pressuring the leader beginning three-eighths from the wire. Loyal Fox Hanover finished fourth with Oberto fifth -- those final two results switched before the official sign was posted as Loyal Fox Hanover was off stride and lapped on through the wire.

The win was the eighth of the year for Flagman and marked a successful return to the racing wars after being scratched sick from a Hoosier Park event in October.

"He (Flagman) was sick the night I scratched him and he really didn't respond that well to the medication," explained Plano. "He's too valuable of a racehorse to let him race not up to his best potential, so I turned him out and let him get back to tip-top shape. He raced giant last night, especially being the first start off of a qualifier. He's a nice pony, that's for sure!"

Flagman has earned $52,900 this year while his $2 backers received $4.20 for the even-money toteboard favourite.

Racing continues on Tuesday night with a Pick-6 carryover, a $15,000 guaranteed Pick-4 pool with the industry low 12 per cent takeout and a Super Hi-5 jackpot now exceeding $40,000. Post time is 7:20 p.m.

(With files from Pompano Park)