Dennis Whittemore's Winding Hill stepped up to the top rung on Pompano Park's trotting ladder and blasted his way to victory in the $13,000 Open Handicap Trot on Tuesday night (January 19).
The five-year-old gelded son of Here Comes Herbie, handled by George Napolitano, Jr. for owner-trainer Whittemore, used similar strategy as in last week's win in conditioned company to romp home a five-length winner in 1:55.1 over Shes All In (Rick Plano) with My Revenuer (Brad Kramer) rallying late for show honours. Rainbow Gold finished fourth after slicing through opening panels of :28 and :58.1 on this coolish 54 degree evening while Diamond Dagger picked up the minor award in the octet.
At the outset, it was Shes All In showing speed off of the gate from post six along with Rainbow Gold from post eight with these two battling early on for supremacy with Sailer Eddie third and Winding Hill next.
Around the second turn just a few strides from the mid-mile pole, "Nap" was out and driving with Winding Hill and, with almost the identical devastating brush that was used in last week's win, swept by his foes with an individually-timed third panel of :27.2, hitting that third beam in 1:26, and then continued to widen his advantage to the wire.
In a post-race interview, driver George Napolitano, Jr. said, "Dennis (owner-trainer Whittemore) told me that he could trot a little if he gets some room to roam and, when I pulled him around that second turn, I said to myself, 'well, Dennis isn't kidding about this one' and away he went. I hardly chirped to him and he was off!"
Whittemore added, "I have only had him a short time. I bought him at the sale. You know, my son Jimmy gave him his mark of 1:55 when he drove him up at Vernon, so I thought I'd take a chance with him when he wound up at the sale. He's a nice horse."
In gathering his 13th lifetime win in 50 career starts, Winding Hill sent his lifetime bounty to $112,210 -- $11,500 of that in just three starts this young semester. As the 7 to 5 public choice, Winding Hill paid $4.80 to win.
Racing continues on Wednesday night with a talented "million dollar" sextet of mares going postward in the $11,500 Open Handicap Pace.
Velocity Vespa, fresh off two identical wins in 1:50.4, will have George Napolitano, Jr. in her sulky as she tangles with Safe From Terror, Jinxys Delight, Art Frenzy, Pertty Music and Classic Carpet. Post time is 7:30 for the mid-week program.
(with files from Pompano)