Panocchio and driver Wally Hennessey scored a repeat win in Pompano Park's Open Handicap Pace on Sunday night (October 22). The duo held off the determined late surge of Sing For Me George (driven by John Mac Donald) by a head in 1:51.2.
The seven-year-old gelded son of No Pan Intended, who is co-owned by trainer Jim Mattison along with Emile Johnson Jr., carved out all the panels, as he sliced through the opener in :27 before adding :55.2 and 1:23.4 to the mix before sealing the deal with a :27.3 finale.
Frankies Dragon (Corey Braden) finished third while Bestinthebusiness and Rockntouch also earned cheques in the classy sextet.
In a post-race interview, Hennessey remarked, "What can I say that hasn't been said already? He's just as game as they come and as handy as they come. Johnny's (MacDonald) horse (Sing For Me George) is very sharp now, too, and he was rolling late but Panocchio seems to know where the wire is and he kept on going until it was over."
Panocchio now has 56 career wins in 134 starts with 34 of those victories at Pompano Park, including his 1:48.3 track record.
For this semester, Panocchio has a 8-6-3 scorecard in 26 starts, good for $75.525, pushing his lifetime bankroll to $472.843.
Off at 1-5 on the tote-board, Panocchio paid $2.40 to win.
Silver Wings was one of the four two year-old winners in the FSBOA Sunshine State Stakes on Sunday night, which were conducted as non-wagering events prior to the pari-mutuel card. Diamond Eyes, Captain Thomas and I Rhoda Daley were the other juvenile winners.
Racing will continue on Wednesday night (October 25) with Sunshine State Stakes action continuing for three year-old Florida-breds in five non-wagering events that will begin at 5:30 p.m.with a full 10 race pari-mutuel card following at 7:20 p.m.
The Super Hi-5 Finale on Wednesday night will feature a carryover of $5,507.
(With files from Pompano Park and the FSBOA)