It was D'Artagnan to the rescue Saturday at the Isle Pompano Park as the aptly named horse rewarded those who backed him at the betting windows paying $18.00 to win after going off at odds of 8-1 in the $22,000 Open Pace

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The fifth race feature saw the betting favourite, Sugars Pride and driver Bruce Ranger go right to the front from the rail and cut the opening quarter mile in a speedy :26.2 with Armbro Dynamic (Kevin Wallis) sitting right on their backs.

After the half mile marker in :55.3, the action started to heat up as driver David Ingraham moved D'Artagnan first-over from fourth place in the backstretch and they started inching their way up towards the leaders. By the three-quarter pole in 1:23.2, D'Artagnan was within one length of Sugars Pride and as they came down the stretch it was a two-horse battle, neck and neck to the finish with D'Artagnian grinding out a head victory over Sugars Pride in 1:51.1. Armbro Dynamic was third.

It was first win this year in 17 starts and a lifetime mark of D'Artagnan, a five-year-old Florida-bred stallion by Mean Mr Mustard. He is trained and co-owned by Veral Bowman with Frank and Inge Smith of Deerfield Beach, Florida.

The Florida Amateur Driving Club made a $1,000.00 donation presentation after the second race in the winner’s circle to representatives of Rockin’ T Equine Rescue.

The Rockin’ T Equine Rescue Sanctuary is a non-profit organization whose purpose is to provide care and nursing for sick, elderly and abandon horses.

Founded by Janet and Andy Tuttle on a 38 acre farm in Lisbon Falls, Maine in 1996, the Rockin’ T Equine Rescue sanctuary opens its doors as a non-profit organization. The shelter grew immensely and is now home to a wide array of standardbred and miniature horse plus other abandoned animals. They have even rescued and taken in horses from here in Florida.

If you wish to get more information about this organization or make a donation, you may call them at (207) 353-6581.

(Pompano Park)