Prairie Fortune and Skyway Priss took top honours in their respective $11,000 trotting features at Pompano Park on Wednesday night (January 3).
With the west wind howling as temperatures dipped to their lowest point of the season – mid-50's – Skyway Priss began the mid-week festivities as she cooled off her rivals with a strong late surge to score for John MacDonald in 1:56.3.
The 10-year-old daughter of Cincinnati Kid used a late surge to score by three parts of a length over Vicki All, with J. D. Yoder driving. JS Foxy Lady was third for Ricky Macomber Jr., while Modern Mercury finished fourth after a serious challenge turning for home. Bad Angel finished fifth in the field of six.
At the outset, Skyway Priss left from Post 6 and took command from Shes All In right at the opening station in :27.4. Shortly after, the 6-5 favourite, Vicki All, surged to the front and took the field halfway through the mile in :57.3. On the backside, JS Foxy Lady was in full throttle and she surged to the lead past the third station in 1:26.4. Modern Mercury was also charging at that point, thus leaving Skyway Prill locked up in fourth and in search of room to roam.
In the lane, she found that seam and surged on through to seal the victory.
Said MacDonald after the race, "She (Skyway Priss) is a very handy mare and she'll do anything you ask. We were kinda (sic) looped on the backside, but we got lucky to find a bit of room in the stretch and she responded.
"It sure was cold out there with the wind howling, so it was a very game performance for her.
"Going in, trainer John Mungillo said, 'Just do the best you can with her. She's up to the top class, so I don't know if she can win, but, whatever happens, it's better than being in Buffalo where it's zero and there is a foot of snow that has to be shoveled!"
Shyway Priss, who won 10 times last year, kicked off her 2018 campaign by going over the $400,000 in career bounty.
With 45 lifetime wins, Skyway Priss now boasts earnings of $404,446 to go along with her 1:55.3 mark at Dover Downs set six years ago.
As the 2-1 second choice, Skyway Priss paid $6.40 to win.
Prairie Fortune, the ‘machine-like’ six-year-old gelded son of Arapa Victory, conquered his five rivals and the blustery winds to score for Jim Meittinis in 1:56 after using a backside blitz to take command to put the issue to rest around the final bend.
Trained by Mike Deters, who co-owns with Laurie Poulin, Prairie Fortune won for the 38th time in his 86-start career. With the win, his lifetime earnings blossomed to $293,540.
Off at 4-5 on the tote board, Prairie Fortune returned $3.60 to win.
Racing will continue on Saturday night with a trio of carryovers highlighting the card. The track's Pentafecta fourth has a carryover of $3,743, the Pick-6 features a carryover of $4,295 and the Super Hi-5 finale has exploded to $55,137.
Post time is set for 7:20 p.m.
(With files from Pompano Park)