Well travelled pacer Cracker Pullet made his return to Florida in formidable fashion on the Saturday evening, November 13 program at The Isle Casino Racing Pompano Park
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“He was coming off that win in Lexington last month when he took his life’s mark of 1:52.1 and things couldn’t have gone any better out there tonight,” said winning driver Mike Micallef of three-year-old Raging Glory-Nasty As Can Be gelding. “Last year I understand in the Florida bred program he was chasing the division’s best in Diamond Howard and Stiletto Jake. He’s rounded into a really handy and nice horse for this last two months of his three-year-old season,” Micallef added.
Phil Peavyhouse, 71, of South Lyon, Michigan is the owner and trainer of Cracker Pullet. In addition to Pompano, his pet project horse has raced this year at The Red Mile, Hazel Park, Northville Downs and from the care of Ontario’s Mark Austin in last summer’s campaign at Mohawk, Georgian Downs and Windsor Raceway.
In Saturday night’s test at Pompano, Cracker Pullet was up against a cast of sturdy veterans. Mai Tai Guy, a 1:51 performer last December from the Rick Schaut barn, was parked for the opening three-eighths of the mile in the winners-over $5,000 lifetime tilt. Mai Tai Guy was able to hold off the final half first over bid of Unknown Solider in rein to Wally Hennessey but finally gave way to the late onslaught of Cracker Pullet, who made the most of a perfect second over tow into striking position. The win time flashed up in 1:54 with Cracker Pullet drawing away.
On Monday evening, Nov. 15, the Florida Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association (FSBOA) events return to the track in a big way. The Florida Stallion Stake for two-year-old colt and gelding trotters will turn to the gate in the third race for a purse of $32,814. The race will feature the re-match of new track record holder Famous Hall after he edged arch-rival Prairie Big John in a 1:57.4 thriller when they last met on October 29.
A one-time scheduling variation is in store in the coming week as a live program will be held on Thursday evening, November 18. There is no live racing on November 19 due to a concert.
Except for the coming week when the Friday program is moved ahead 24 hours, post time is 7:05 p.m. each Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday evening at The Winter Capital Of Harness Racing. Tuesday programs are added to that live racing schedule from December through March.
(Pompano Park)