Cruizin K C, with lessee and trainer Mark O'Mara in the bike, paced his final half-mile in a shade under :54 to eke out a narrow victory in Pompano Park's featured $9,000 Open 2 Pace on Saturday night in 1:52.

The gelded five-year-old son of Mach Three edged out Atta Boy Dan, handled by Walter Ross Jr., and Kommander Hawk, with Kevin Wallis in the bike, by a half-length, coming from more than seven lengths away at the half to get his sixth victory in 11 starts this year.

McSocks, driven by Bruce Ranger, was fourth, one length away, with Avantage and Dave Ingraham picking up the final cheque in the field of nine.

Both Kommander Hawk and McSocks left the gate alertly with the latter securing the top spot during the first eighth of a mile and taking the field through the first two panels of :27.2 and :56.3.

On the backside with the pace quickening, Atta Boy Dan went first up from third and reached within a length of McSocks past the third station in 1:24.1.

But also churning his way into contention was Cruizin K C, who paced his third panel in :27 to move within striking distance.

In the lane, it was a cavalry charge to the wire with Atta Boy Dan finally getting by McSocks and Kommander Hawk still looming boldly, but both unable to hold off yet another :27 quarter by Cruizin K C, who edged by in deep stretch for the hard fought victory.

"I didn't think there was any way I could reach because of the tepid half time and being so far out of it," said O'Mara in a post-race interview. "And realizing these horses aren't machines, you never know how they might respond from week to week. But, I'll tell you, this horse paced like a machine the last half-mile tonight. He just kept on grinding and grinding. It was like he was telling me he wouldn't give up until he got the job done. He never ceases to amaze me."

Cruizin K C now has $27,920 on his 2013 card -- more than all of last year -- and $51,605 lifetime. He did not race at two or three.

(With files from Pompano Park)