With a quick brush to the lead after the half mile marker, Keystone Empire and driver Richard Simard were able to score their second victory of the year with a 1:56.3 triumph in Monday’s $16,000 Open Handicap Trot

at Pompano Park.

The fifth race feature saw Karpathos out-duel Cisco Hall for the early lead to the opening quarter mile in :28.2, but after trying to get away with a slow quarter to the half in :58.3, Simard and Keystone Empire came after Karpathos and passed them before the three-quarter pole in 1:27.

From there Keystone Empire was home free, winning by one and three-quarter lengths over Cisco Hall and a late closing Farmer Jones.

Trained and co-owned by Mario Dessureault with Sylvain Cote of Quebec, it was the 18th career victory for Keystone Empire, a five-year-old son of Angus Hall.

(Pompano Park)