On Sunday, October 25 at Pompano Park, Panocchio and Escuela scored victories during the track’s Open events for pacers and trotters, respectively.
Panocchio, driven by Dan Clements, made his Pompano return a winning one with a splendid 1:50.1 win, highlighted by a :26.4 finale, holding favourite Alexas Jackpot (driven by Joe Pavia Jr.) at bay by three quarters of a length.
Audreys Dream (Ed Hensley), who was well back early, finished third, while Lyons Johnny, who was saddled with the outside post, rallied for fourth. Whogoesfirst finished fifth.
Panocchio, who is a five-year-old son of No Pan Intended, won for the 33rd time in his career.
After the race, Clements said, "Man, what a machine this one is. You know, he zipped out of the gate and the opening quarter in getting to the top wasn't a 'gimme.' And he responded lime the great horse he is around that final bend when I asked him for a little more!"
As second choice in the betting, Panocchio paid $7.20 to win.
Escuela, meanwhile, extended her win streak to three with her second straight win in the top class, converting a first-up effort for Ed Hensley in 1:54.1, which a new life’s mark.
After the race, Hensley said, "I kinda used the same strategy as last week when she won. After all, what's that old saying? 'If it ain't broke, don't fix it!' She raced great again...proud of her.
The five year-old daughter of ABC Garland, owned by the Hensleys – Ed and Ashleigh – now has a scorecard reading 28-8-3-5 with $69,000 in bounty. As the 1 to 2 favorite, Escuela paid $3.00 to her many followers.
In addition to the Opens, Gold Star Briana, Rexamillion, Livy M and Prairie Fortune won their respective divisions of the FSBOA Sunshine State Stakes Finals.
Pompano’s next card of live racing is this Tuesday when Godiva Seelster, Just A Bee and Winbak Heavenly renew their rivalry in the Open pace for mares.
Godiva Seelster goes for a repeat win in this event, having scored in a lifetime best 1:50.4 last week. She also looks to stretch her streak of getting purse cheque to 70, encompassing her three, four and five-year-old campaigns. Wally Hennessey will be back in the sulky for owners Paul and Patricia O'Neil.
Also, Pompano Park's Super Hi-5 carryover has ballooned to over $6,000 for the Tuesday card.
First-race post time for Pompano’s Tuesday card is 7:30 p.m.
(With files from Pompano)