Oho Diamond, the new owner of the track record for four year-old trotting mares, and Cashahallic, the victor in last week’s Open trot, are set to lock horns on Sunday night at Pompano Park in this week’s edition of the Open Handicap Trot.
Oho Diamond, the excellent four-year-old daughter of Ken Warkentin, stopped the timer in 1:53.3 on opening night, eclipsing Peace Corp’s 1:54.2 standard set in 1990. Trained by Renaldo Morales III for owner Dan Clements, Oho Diamond is seeking her 12th win of the year and looks to add to her season bounty of $88,333, by far the best of her career. She will start from post nine in her field with Mike Micallef expected to be in the bike.
Cashahallic, the property of trainer Richard Silverman, looked very sharp in winning last week’s open, making a quarter move to the top and securing the win in 1:55.3. Aaron Byron is scheduled to drive this seven year-old altered son of Cash Hall again on Sunday night and will be leaving from post position eight.
Elin, Back To Space, Verdi, My Revenuer, Escuela, Tug River Dylan and Dominum Deo complete the million-dollar winning field.
The companion Open pace features Lyons Johnny, Audreys Dream and Northern Companion -- 1-2-3 in last week’s event -- along with Whogoesfirst, Rajis Blue Line, Sir Jakes Z Tam, King Royalty and Thebestofjoel.
Lyons Johnny went a huge first over journey in his last start to eke by Audreys Dream in the very last stride in 1:51. Owned by the Baron Racing Stable, Lyons Johnny will have the driving services of trainer Mike Micallef.
Audreys Dream, meanwhile, will be driven by Ed Hensley, part of the Hensley racing team with Ashleigh as the trainer. Dorothy Zarza’s Northern Companion, trained by Howard Klohr, has been showing his usual stout lake kick in recent events and looms as the danger off of an expected lively pace. Corey Braden will be back in the sulky again.
Sunday’s card also features a $7,500 Guaranteed Pick-4, covering races six through nine. Also of note, the Florida Amateur Driving Club will be making a presentation to the Go For The Greens Foundation, an organization which takes an active role in the fight against breast cancer.
F.A.D.C. President Dein Spriggs said, “You know, many of us are so immersed in our own little world and then, in an instant, that world is turned upside down when the doctor confronts you with the word ‘cancer.’ “This is our Club’s way of saying, ‘We haven’t forgotten those who are fighting the fight and we’ll continue to do all we can to support the ‘race for a cure.’”
The Florida Amateur Driving Club has donated close to $140,000 to worthy charitable causes since its inception. Post time is 7:30 with the F.A.D.C. special presentation taking place after the first race.
(with files from Pompano Park)