With the track condition deteriorating quickly due to a deluge just after the start, Northern Companion squeaked by a stubborn Ideal Choice in the final stride or two to capture Pompano Park's $10,000 Open Handicap on Saturday night in 1:53.

Cruizin K C (Mark O'Mara) was third, a length away, while Ricks Sign (Kevin Wallis) finished fourth. Cartoonist (Bruce Ranger), who took the field to an opening quarter in :27.1, made an untimely miscue just short of the :58.1 half and finished fifth in the quintette.

Indeed, it was Cartoonist on the engine as the gate opened, out-sprinting Ideal Choice (Brooke Nickells) through the opener before becoming unglued -- make that "un-gooed" -- midway around turn two.

With Ideal Choice on an inherited lead, Northern Companion pulled first and engaged the leader through an official third panel in :27.1 -- his :26.4 -- to stick a nose in front at the third station clocked in 1:25.2.

In the lane, Ideal Choice sprinted clear once again, but the Howard Klohr-trained Northern Companion used the grit for which he has become so well known at Pompano Park to eke out the victory by a neck.

"I don't know where this Northern Companion gets his determination, but he sure can grind away with the best of 'em," said driver Dave Ingraham in a post-race interview. "I kind of sensed that the pace was slowing during that second quarter so I decided I'd better start trudging forward around that second turn before the half. It took a big final half [of :54.2] to nail it down, but this horse just has that great attitude. Howard does a great job with him and, of course, that helps."

For Northern Companion, owned by Dorothy Zarza, the win was his fourth of the year in 11 starts, sending his seasonal bankroll to $31,800. Career-wise, the six-year-old son of Cambest has won 36 times, good for $218,632.

As the 4-5 toteboard choice, Northern Companion paid $3.60 to win.

(With files from Pompano Park)