Its Payday Friday paid an extra holiday dividend to his backers by capturing the $12,000 Open Handicap Trot at Pompano Park on Wednesday night.

The four-year-old son of Kadabra, trained by Renaldo Morales III for owner-driver Dan Clements led at every pole, stopping the teletimer in a lifetime-best 1:54.

Dukester was second for Rick Plano, 1-1/2 lengths away, while Buddy Hally, driven by Peter Wrenn, finished third. Baby Boy Grin finished fourth and Jolenes Pinehonker finished fifth as the field was reduced to a quintet with the scratch of Andover America.

Beginning from post five, Its Payday Friday meant business from the word "go" as he zipped out of the gate and took the field to the opening quarter in :27.4 with Buddy Hally, using the rail post with perfection, in the garden spot with Baby Boy Grin next.

Positions remained stagnant through a half in :56.4 with virtually no pressure on the leader as he stepped up the pace during a :28.2 third panel, reaching the third station in 1:25.1. Turning for home, Its Payday Friday was on cruise control, easily holding off the late-charging Dukester.

In a post race interview, Clements said, "He [Its Payday Friday] has been racing very tough lately, trotting around [1]:55 every start. Renaldo [trainer Morales] has been excellent with our entire stable and the way this horse raced tonight is an example of that. I was a bit surprised at the time because he seemed to do this so easily tonight...surprised but extremely pleased. I tried putting him on the lead because the last three times he has won has been on the front end. He just never seems to quit."

The win pushed Its Payday Friday's scorecard at Pompano this fall to 4-3-0 in seven starts and this win -- his eighth of the year -- pushed his seasonal earnings to $64,785 and $182,688 lifetime.

As the 4-5 favourite on the toteboard, Its Payday Friday returned an early holiday dividend of $3.60.

(With files from Pompano Park)