Tempus Seelster, catch-driven by Joe Chindano Jr. for trainer Rob Rittof, pulled off a stunning 28 to 1 upset win at Pompano Park on Tuesday night (Jan. 26), stopping the timer in 1:50.2.
The classy eight-year-old daughter of Big Jim earned her second success of the new year in three starts, scoring by a neck over the late-charging 4-5 favourite Crisp Mane (David Miller). Rock N Roll Rosie (Ken Holliday), the longest shot on the tote board at 56 to 1, was third, 5-1/2 lengths away with Prairie Westerngal next. Shesgotitgoingon recovered from an early miscue leaving the gate to pick up fifth in the field of nine.
As the wings folded, Prairie Westerngal, leaving from post seven, zipped off the wings and opened up a quick three-length lead before Lucky Artist A attacked and took over at the opener in a hot :26.1. These two remained one-two on their way to a :54.3 half, which saw Rock N Roll Rosie sit chilly along the inside while Tempus Seelster began her jaunt first-up followed by Crisp Mane.
Though the pace quickened again on the backside, Tempus Seelster was able to dent the :27.3 third panel to take charge around the final bend and open up a 2-1/4 length lead straightening away for home.
Crisp Man was gnawing away in the lane but not quite enough, as Tempus Seelster prevailed on the line.
After the event, driver Chindano related, "Wow!. She went some mile tonight. When I pulled her going into the second turn, I was looking for some kind of second -ver trip but, as soon as I pulled her, she was raring to go and didn't need any cover. She was really rolling on the backside, and to make serious headway into a :27.3 quarter was really something.
"Even in the lane, when she heard that other horse (Crisp Mane) coming, she stuck her head out a bit more and was very determined right to the wire."
Not only did Tempus Seelster produce the highest win mutuel of the night, it was the loftiest win price during her career that has seen her reach the winner's circle on 38 occasions.
The win also proved to be the key to a 20-cent superfecta payoff of $6,655.44.
Owned by Dandy Farms Racing along with the FT Racing Stable, Tempus Seelster now has career earnings of $326,496.
In the "like father, like son" department, some 20 minutes after veteran driver Mark Beckwith won a claiming event with Happy Heart, his son, Brett, who just celebrated his 18th birthday four days prior, won his first pari-mutuel event, steering Amarettigone to a four-length win in 1:53.1.
In a post-race interview, proud papa Mark Beckwith lauded his son's performance saying, "This is really a proud moment in my life. Brett is light years ahead of me when I was starting out in this business. He had won some non-betting amateur events over the last couple of years but never a pari-mutuel event, so this was something special.
"He learned from the ground up and the only thing I have really told him is to be courteous, patient and humble on the racetrack."
Racing continues on Wednesday night (Jan. 27) at Pompano Park, with a Pick-6 carryover of $2,515.55 and a Super Hi-5 jackpot carryover of $25,046.85. The Pick-4 play also has a guaranteed pool of $15,000 and features an industry low 12 per cent takeout.
Free programs are available on the Pompano Park website.
Post time is 7:20 p.m.
(Pompano Park)