There were two big headlines at Pompano Park on Monday night (Dec. 27) -- a record $100,000-plus Pick-5 handle and another sizzling Hot Art performance in the featured pace.

Actually, the record Pick-5 handle story began on Sunday night in Florida Amateur Driving competition when Explosive Motion, driven by Jamie Marra, exploded the toteboard with a $2 win payoff of $149.80 in the first of two amateur trotting events -- that four-year-old gelded son of Explosive Matter closing stoutly after a heady drive to win in 1:58, a seasonal best. It was the 75th career win for Marra.

That win also keyed a $581.40 exacta payoff with the favourite, a $2 trifecta return of $3,430.20, a 20-cent superfecta of $1,980.64 and a $2 daily double worth $2,185.60.

The on-setting record to be was also helped along in yet another amateur event when The Big Muscle, driven by Joe Pennacchio lived up to his name by out-muscling his competition on the wire in 1:58.2.to score at 5-1 ($13.20) giving Pennacchio his 204th career success in the bike.

A few minutes later, the record handle-to-be was virtually assured when Mac Anover and John MacDonald teamed up to score at 33-1 in the final leg of the Sunday Pick-5, leaving that offering unscathed with a carryover of $11,116 and change, setting up a $60,000 guaranteed Pick-5 pool for Monday.

Four favourites and a second choice dominated the Monday proceedings, including an amateur with the 1-2 favourite, Anchors Away, taking yet another FADC event with Tony Dinges in the bike.

This four-year-old gelded son of Whom Shall I Fear went a rugged journey to score in 1:56.2 over Big Boy Rosco (Jamie Marra) and Everyones Talkin (Ron Cusimano). The win was number 12 on the year for Anchors Away, who is owned by trainer Mike Deters with Joel Warner.

The ageless marvel Hot Art, driven by ageless marvel Rick Plano, closed out the Pick-5 competition as the 1-5 toteboard favourite ($2.60) in the $10,000 claiming ($20,000-$30,000) handicap pace, winning by a well measured neck in 1:51.4 and extending his winning streak to five in yet another gate-to-wire victory. The 12-year-old put up numbers of :27, :55.2 and 1:23.2 along the way to hold off Noahs Mill (David Miller), with R J P (Wally Hennessey) third over Dakota Jack and Believeinthespirit in the classy quintet.

In Hot Art's past five starts, he has been first in 24 of 25 points of call on his charted lines.

In explaining Hot Art's recent success, Plano said, "Actually, he (Hot Art) races better off the pace on someone's helmet but he's so strong right now, he doesn't let me put him in the hole...he's just so fast out of the gate. He's been quite amazing lately...but he's going to be 13 in a few days, so we'll hope he stays as healthy as he is right now!"

The win was the 16th of the year for Hot Art, sending his 2021 earnings to $87,593 and lifetime bankroll to $446,117 in 294 starts.

By the way, chalk players had a field day in the Pick-5 as there were 2,759 winning tickets on the 5/6-2-5-5-5 combo, returning $32.40.

Racing continues on Tuesday with trotters in the limelight in the $14,200 Open Handicap Trot. Another Plano trainee, Toys For You, goes for his fifth straight win in the feature with Timon AS, Muscles For Life, Max, Flagman and Wild And Crazy Guy providing the competition.

The Tuesday card also features a $15,000 guaranteed pool (industry low 12 per cent takeout) on the Pick-4 and a Super Hi-5 jackpot of $58,046.

Post time is 7:20 p.m.

(With files from Pompano Park)