It came down to the closing few strides for former Breeders Crown champion Corleone Kosmos to be caught in his return to racing action. The career winner of almost $2 million, who was sidelined by a variety of minor issues, hadn't been been in a pari-mutuel event since last July 30

at The Meadowlands and he was the focus of the $14,000 weekly top class trotting feature on the Tuesday, April 6 program at The Isle Casino Racing Pompano Park.

Trainer Tom Haughton was in the bike and he moved the nine-year-old S Js Photo-Rose Street Gal gelding to the lead at the quarter in :28.2. The 2008 Breeders Crown champion then posted the middle fractions of :57.3 and 1:26.1 with Keystone Thomas (Doug Brown) and Andover America (Bruce Ranger) lined up behind him. On the final turn, Andover America was tipped out and a thrilling stretch drive ensued. Andover America was up in time to win in 1:54.2 over Corleone Kosmos, with pocket-sitter Keystone Thomas a very snug third on the inside.

"For Corleone Kosmos to be making that kind of comeback at nine-year-old is really something," said winning driver Bruce Ranger of his main foe in the event. "I was doubting whether I'd be able to catch Corleone Kosmos until really late in the stretch. It looked to me like 'Corleone' just got a little anxious in the last couple strides and that's understandable since he's been away from the track for over eight months. Tommy [Haughton] had to take a hard hold in the last few yards when it looked to me like his horse tried to convert to the pace. No doubt about it he's a very classy horse. It's great to have owners in the game that would give their horse that kind of time off and Tom should be proud of the job he's done."

Even with Corleone Kosmos and last week's winner Keystone Thomas in the field, Andover America was sent off as the 1-5 favourite as a show of respect for Bruce Ranger. It was the 33rd career victory for Andover America and his first win in a month at the South Florida venue. The six-year-old Andover Hall-Armbro Array gelding is trained by Stewart Nemiro of the Ranger Stable for McTrade Enterprises of Davie, Florida and this win pushed his career earnings to more than $310,000.

The late-blooming Corleone Kosmos has won 20 of 63 career races for owners Arthur Rudolph, the Rudolph Stables and Bernard Owen. In addition to his Breeders Crown victory, he won the Trotting Classic in 2008 and 2009 and captured the 2007 Nat Ray Invitational.

“He’s super so far,” said Haughton prior to the race. “He’s sounder than I’ve seen him in about four years. Maybe he’s heading for a nice season again. Last year he had all little nagging things. I think he just needed a little more time. He had plenty of time."

On March 26, Corleone Kosmos won a qualifier at Pompano in 1:55.4 for his only prep race for Wednesday’s start.

“He doesn’t need that much,” said Haughton. “He’s ready to do anything right now. He looks fantastic. I’m just hoping he stays cool. He gets all nerved up when he races, like a thoroughbred more than a standardbred.”

If all goes well, Corleone Kosmos might make one more start in Florida before heading north for his stakes schedule.

“We’re really just trying to take it race by race,” said Bryan Owen, the ownership group’s spokesman. “He’s either going to be a top-end horse or he’s going to retire. There’s not going to be any in between. It seems that physically the horse is better than he’s been in years. He seems to be in a general better mood and comfortable. A lot of times when you give them a rest like we gave him, the little stuff goes away. He seems to be sound, which is the only reason we’re pushing forward with this. We may shock some people.”

Haughton thinks Corleone Kosmos can return to championship form, particularly because he has been raced lightly during his career. The horse has never started more than 14 times in a year.

“I don’t see any reason why he can’t do it,” said Haughton. “He hasn’t raced that much in his life and he loves to do it. He just acts like a young horse right now.”

(With files from Pompano Park & HRC)