It was a tough night in South Florida for favourites in stakes finals action at The Isle Pompano Park. Public choices went down to defeat in two of three added money events staged in Florida Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association on the Saturday evening, November 14 program
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The only prevailing favourite was in the first of two $24,788 divisions of the Stallion Stakes for Florida-bred two-year-old pacing colts and geldings as Stiletto Jake captured a front-end win in 1:55.3.
"This colt showed me a new kind of dimension tonight as he had push button speed for the final half. I was able to grab the half in 1:00.1 and for him to get home in :55.2 in the final half shows what a great job his trainer Robert Connor, Jr. has done with him," said driver Tom Sells.
"He's a fine colt that doesn't wear any equipment except a head pole inside. We hope he can peak one more time for Florida Super Night on December 5," Sells added of the Spy Hard-Embers Glory colt owned by Marah Lee and Robert Barker, Jr. of Ft. Lauderdale.
It was the sixth win in nine starts this year for Stiletto Jake, as he was forced to brush home in :27.1 to hold off the pocket-sitter Cracker Pullet, driven by Mickey McNichol.
The other Stallion Stakes division saw an 11-1 upset as heavily favoured Diamond Howard was never able to get into the thick of the action. He thus saw his chances go by the wayside for a share of the $100,000 FSBOA bonus offered for undefeated rookie performers in the four major State-bred stakes. Instead, it was Cracker Stoney seizing the moment with Wally Hennessey rating the Givemewhatineed-Cracker Glory gelding through fractions of :27.4, :58 and 1:26.3 leading up to the win in 1:54.3. Cracker Stoney was a recent private purchase of Montreal's Gerrie Tucker, and he races from the care of Steve Oliwa. Three Putt Again with David Ingraham closed sharply for second while Goldstar Patriot D with Matt Kakaley was third.
In the $17,500 final of the later closer Hurricane Stakes for State-bred three-year-old colt and gelding pacers, heavily favoured Storming Howard lead until mid-stretch with Bruce Ranger in tow but saw his six-race win streak for 2009 ended by Time To Scoot. Kevin Wallis made the most of a mid-pack following trip to tip out with Time To Scoot and pass Storming Howard late to stop the clock in 1:53.3, with entrymate Scoot Diablo and Wally Hennessey finishing third. Time To Scoot is trained by Marc Aubin for Amante Standardbreds of Delray Beach, Florida. The Scoot Outa Reach-Nova Ruby gelding pushed his life's earnings to more than $50,000 with the win.
Still another feature race on the Saturday night card saw the favourite go down to defeat as Prime Time Talent lost a tight win photo to Power Park. Prime Time Talent started outside in the field of eight in the $13,000 Open Handicap Pace and posted fractions of :27, :56.2 and 1:25.2. Still last at the half, Power Park and Walt Ross, Jr. picked up a second-over trip behind Four Star Bling with Ray Vizzi. Turning for home, Power Park was wheeled three-wide and after a huge late duel he got the nod in 1:53.3 for his fifth win in fifteen starts this year. Jean Beaulieu owns and trains the nine-year-old son of Good News Scooter-Park Lane Gal and shares ownership of the $707,000 lifetime winner with Gilbert Sauve and Jean Mondoux of Quebec.
(Pompano Park)