It was a 'blessed victory' to those patrons who played Blessed Victory, a 23-1 longshot, in Monday’s

$16,000 Open Trot at Pompano Park.

Heavily-favoured No Pain No Gain, who was the lone mare in the eight horse affair, shot right to the early lead for trainer/driver Joe Pavia, Jr. and laid down early fractions of :27.1 and :57.3 before coming under intense pressure.

Farmer Jones attacked from first-over at the mid-way point, with Blessed Victory and driver Dan Clements following the outside flow. The battle between Farmer Jones and No Pain No Gain continued all the way to three-quarter pole in 1:26.3 before the mare succumbed to the pressure.

Farmer Jones cleared to the front by the time the field arrived at the top of the stretch, but he failed to hold off Clements and Blessed Victory. Blessed Victory nipped Farmer Jones right at the wire, winning by a neck in a career-best clocking of 1:56. Slave Dream was third.

It was the fourth win in eight starts this year for the five-year-old son of Conway Hall, who is trained by Bill Gallagher. The gelding races under lease to Gallagher and Victoria Jackson-Carinda of Wellington, FL.

In the very next race, Front Page Star extended his win streak to six-in-a-row for Anthony Napolitano, who guided the pacer to a career-best clocking of 1:54.2 in a $4,180 conditioned pace.

The nine-year-old son of Stubby B is now six for eight in 2009. Paul Holzman trains the veteran for owner Mary Holzman of New Hudson, MI.

(Pompano Park)