The FSBOA Stallion Stakes for three-year-olds were contested on Monday (Nov. 11) at Pompano Park as non-wagering events.
Trainer Kim Sears recorded a ‘hat trick,’ as all three of her entrants reached the winner's circle. Michile Lorenzo completed the training sweep for the ladies in the finale.
A recap of the festivities appears below.
$26,325 STALLION STAKES FOR THREE-YEAR-OLD TROTTING FILLIES
Proud Sophie used the draw--the rail--to perfection as driver Dave Ingraham sent the daughter of Proud Bushy right to the front and clocked panels of :31.3, 1:02.3 and 1:33.2 before a :29.3 finale sealed the deal over Crown Bushy, driven by Bryce Fenn. The 2:03 clocking was just a tick off of her lifetime best, achieved just last week.
Trained by Kim Sears for owners Jay Sears and Dr. David Fishman, the lightly raced sophomore now sports a 5-5-0 scorecard in her to lifetime starts, good for $80,223--$24,783 this year in her three starts.
$29,050 STALLION STAKES FOR THREE-YEAR-OLD TROTING COLTS/GELDINGS
Savin Park, the gelded son of Proud Bushy, took advantage of his two rivals making miscues early and went on to romp through a mile in 2:02 for Wally Hennessey, in the bike for trainer Kim Sears and owner John Campagnuolo.
Prairie Gem (Mike Deters) and McGoldrick (Dave Ingraham) followed Savin Park across the line.
Carving up fractions of :29.1, :59.4 and 1:30.2, Savin Park coasted home in this maiden win to send his career bankroll to $29,745.
Said Hennessey after the event, "I had only driven him one other time prior to this and he did nicely minding his manners and had some solid early speed and a decent late kick while chasing a pretty good one. This is one time where good manners paid off."
$34,425 STALLION STAKES FOR THREE-YEAR-OLD PACING FILLIES
Owner Jay Sears' Natasha, facing her toughest opponent yet, stretched her winning streak to 13 over the past two seasons with a lifetime best 1:53.2 performance for Wally Hennessey.
Trained by Kim Sears--giving her the training hat trick--Natasha out-sprinted her toughest rival yet, Prairie Cougar, and carded times of :28.1, :57.3 and 1:25.4 along the way before sprinting home in :27.3 to hit the line two lengths clear of Prairie Cougar, driven by Kevin Wallis.
Lime Twist (Mike Simons) closed stoutly to finish third over Goldstar Stormie and Rockin Ellie.
Hennessy had high praise for Natasha saying, "I told you, she is a freak. She is so handy and so willing...just a pleasure to drive."
Natasha, a daughter of Six Of Diamonds, now is a perfect five-for-five this year with earnings of $29,970. Lifetime, Natasha has banked $97,845 in just 15 starts.
$31,475 STALLION STAKES FOR THREE-YEAR-OLD COLTS/GELDINGS
Zaza Boy, completed the trainer sweep for the ladies as this Michile Lorenzo trainee was given picture perfect handling by Mike Micallef to score in 1:55.
The talented gelded son of Rockincam was sent whistling off the wings and proceeded to march through panels of :29, :58.2 and 1:27.4 before a lively :27.1 finale completed the journey with two lengths to spare over JBs Boomerang (Bryce Fenn). Gold Star Yoder (Dustin Ingraham) was next, followed by Gold Star Hefner and O'Brockoli.
After the race, driver Micallef said, "This horse used to be so headstrong but there were aa few rigging changes to calm him down. I never asked him really for anything until midway around the final turn and then the (ear) plug came out, I whistled once and he took off."
Zaza Boy now has a scorecard that reads 4-2-4 in 15 starts with $40,477 in the bank. Lifetime, he's right at $90,394 for owners Souren Hovsepian and Rod Lorenzo.
Racing continues on Tuesday night with a Pick 6 Carryover of $2,285.63 and a Super Hi-5 jackpot ballooning to $3,833.10.
Post time is set for 7:20 p.m.
(Pompano Park / FSBOA)