He went the race of his life on the January 8 program to capture the $13,000 championship event of The Gator Series for Florida-bred three-year-old pacing colts and geldings and now TL Six Shooter is bound for New Jersey
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"I wasn't surprised he stepped up and won tonight," trainer Jim Brown said after the 1:54.4 life's mark earned by the Six Of Diamonds-Sharpshooter Nati gelding owned by Tom Lehmann of Sarasota, FL. "He's been getting better every week. He was really on his toes warming up tonight and going to the gate he looked great. Last week he was locked in at the finish, and tonight when (driver) Joe Pavia Jr. asked him for a second move he delivered it to catch a really nice colt in Full Of Sand," Brown added. "He's headed for the Trendsetter Series at The Meadowlands and he's in the January 17 sale also."
Full Of Sand, driven by Mike Micallef, took the lead just past the quarter and made the pace in :27.2, :57, and 1:25.3 and he put away the first over challenge of December's Florida Breeders champ Palm Beach Boy. When clearance appeared in the lane TL Six Shooter mustered enough pace to gun down Full Of Sand. Creating A Dream with Walter Ross Jr. followed third under the wire while Palm Beach Boy was fourth best.
In the $13,150 final of the Orange Blossom Series late closer for state bred three-year-old pacing fillies, Angela reached the potential she hinted at in last week's elimination to capture a life's mark of 1:56.3 for owners Sandra and Richard Dunmire of Ft. Myers, FL.
"It was a great job by her trainer Kim Sears to have her peaking for this race," Richard Dunmire said. "Last week she almost swept the field in the stretch and tonight (driver) Wally Hennessey found her the pocket trip. She'll now get a good rest until March," he added.
Keep On Cookin was designated by trainer-driver Rick Schaut to set the pace to the three-quarters in 1:28.2. In the stretch, Angela was set to roll and she emerged from the perfect drafting trip to stop the clock in 1:56.3. Youtorturemefern with Gaston Lareau in tow finished third.
Delivered From Zin Now Meet's Fastest...Soon To Be Track's Fastest?
The top weekly handicap pace went to the gate for a $12,000 purse and recent arrival Delivered From Zin romped for a second straight start at the South Florida venue.
"He's turned out to be a terrific claim (for $30,000 at Chester on December 20) and we don't think he's been fully extended yet," owner Joel Benson said in a live post-race trackside TV interview. "If we catch a really warm and humid night soon I won't be surprised if he challenges the track record (of 1:49.3 held by Load The Dice). I could be racing him up north but I've lived in Ft. Lauderdale for four years now and I want to be loyal as far as possible to the racing program that's being built here," Benson adds.
Although he was ordered to the outside start in the field of seven, the Sealed N Delivered-Zinful gelding was quickly out front in :26.4 to set up middle fractions of :55.3 and 1:23. Delivered From Zin, trained by Christie Collins, was drawing away under wraps to freeze the timer in 1:50.2. It was the fastest mile of the meet which began on October 16. Four Starz Bling with Bruce Ranger rode the pocket for the place position and Daley Deposit Only with Dan Daley found a stretch seam to take down third.
Post time is 7:05 p.m. EST every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday at The Winter Capital Of Harness Racing.
(Isle Pompano Park)