B N Bad, who was scorched badly last week vying for the lead during a :26.1 opening panel (at 1-10 odds), scorched his competition on Saturday night with a gate-to-wire win in the feature pace for Bruce Ranger in 1:52.3.
Trained by Pete Pellegrino for the Baron Racing Stable, the six-year-old son of Soho left like a rocket from his mid-pack four post, easily took command around the first turn and proceeded to clock comfortable panels of :27.1, :56.1 and 1:24.2 before sealing the issue with a :28.1 finale. B N Bad hit the wire one and a quarter lengths ahead of Neptune Blue Chip, handled by Andy Santeramo. Quincy, stepping up to the "big time" for the first time, rallied for third for Bryce Fenn while Fine Fine Fine and Oh My Joepa picked up the remaining scraps. Last week's winner, Avantage, never got in the hunt this night and finished sixth with Hyperion Hanover completing the septet.
"Last week, it was his first start back in a month and that first quarter really did him in," said Ranger in a post-race interview. "Tonight, he was very sharp leaving and the rated second quarter breather really helped him. This horse can easily go opening halves in :55, so when we got halfway through in :56 and a piece, I felt very confident he could take it all the way...and he did!"
The win was the sixth in 22 starts this year for B N Bad, pushing his 2013 bounty just short of $80,000 and lifetime earnings to $335,648.
The Pompano co-feature went to Hillybilly, who brushed home in :28 flat to put his field away with a 1:52.1 mile, equalling his lifetime mark.
Driven by Bryce Fenn for trainer Marc Aubin and Amante Standardbreds, the three-year-old son of N Aboriginal scored his seventh win of the year in 17 starts, pushing his lifetime earnings past $70,000.
Oozies Bad Boy (Rick Plano) overcame the outside eight post to finish second while Hurricane Howard (Tom Sells) finished third after taking an ever-so-slight lead turning for home. Freeneasy Hanover and Maxines Menace earned the final two cheques in the field of eight.
Ranger had three driving wins on the card while Pellegrino had three training wins.
In other action, the Florida Amateur Driver's Club made a sizable donation to The Charlie House, a safe haven for disadvantaged youths, this after John Campagnuolo snuck through the pylons to win the F.A.D.C. Trot with Lucky Hit in 2:00.4 over McKelvie and Joe Pennacchio. BKs Luv, driven by Laurie Poulin, finished third.
The Club had donated over $125,000 of charitable causes since its inception.
(With files from Pompano Park)