She turned to the gate for the biggest purse of her young career, and two-year-old pacing filly Cracker Coffee came through with flying colours again in the $31,400 Florida Standardbred Breeders And Owners Association Stallion Stakes Wednesday, October 12 at Pompano Park
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The rookie daughter of Six Of Diamonds-Nasty As Can Be has been a model of consistency in her seven lifetime starts to date, now sporting four wins and three runner-up finishes for earnings of $33,867. Cracker Coffee was bred by Russell Peavyhouse and developed in Michigan by owner Phil Peavyhouse. After a June 23 qualifier at Hazel Park, Cracker Coffee was moved to the Kim Sears Stable in July.
This occasion, Wally Hennessey decided to make a quarter pole move to the front over arch-rival Diamond Amber and Richie Simard in :27.3. After the half in :57.3, Gold Star Gidget made a strong first over rush to the final turn in 1:26.2. Cracker Coffee still had enough in reserve to score in 1:55.4 over Diamond Amber. Quail, in rein to Jay Sears, brushed widest in the stretch for third over Gold Star Gidget.
Cracker Coffee has dominated all three stakes finals to date in the 2011 FSBOA Series. She could complete a sweep of the season with victories in the October 19 Sales Stakes and in the November 5 'Super Night' Breeders Stakes. The Stallion Stakes concludes with a non-wagering event for the two-year-old colt and gelding pacers at 6:45 p.m. on Saturday, October 15 prior to the ten race regular card.
The mid-week card in South Florida, under an ideal 78 degree setting, also featured the $12,000 purse Open Handicap Trot. Keystone Thomas again showed why he was ordered to start on the outside in the field of seven with a dominant score in 1:55.2. Bruce Ranger was in the bike to move the Revenue S-Yankee Taboo gelding to the front after the quarter in :28 seconds was posted by promising Ontario based newcomer, Smokin Dabra, now racing at Pompano from the Noreen Paulin and Norm Dessereault barn for owner John Bosworth of Newmarket. Keystone Thomas held off the final half challenge of Big Baller, in rein to Tim Maier, and cruised away to his ninth win in 23 starts this year for the Fred Monteleone Stable of Pompano Beach. Smokin Dabra stoutly held second with Hesgotlegs and Wally Hennessey following in for third. Keystone Thomas has amassed $69,060 racing exclusively in Florida.
(Pompano Park)