It didn't take Jason Dillander long to pick up right where he left off in sunny Florida.
Following a successful 2011-12 winter season at Isle Casino Racing Pompano Park, the 36-year-old reinsman spent the past summer at his other home base, the Hoosier Park-Indiana Downs circuit where he has excelled in recent years.
Emulating Lebron James of the Miami Heat, Dillander brought his talents back near South Beach on Saturday night and promptly scored with his first drive. He guided Arezzo Hanover to a wire-to-wire 1:52.1 triumph over Waterside Champ (Wally Hennessey) and Kennanskingwilliam (Dave Ingraham) for owner Elm Racing and trainer Billy Knipper. It was Dillander's only drive on the program, although he is scheduled for several more on the Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday cards and his workload is expected to increase in the coming weeks.
The weekly $10,000 Open Pace was also contested on Saturday with Northern Companion (Rob Hoffman) lowering his lifetime mark to 1:50.4 with an upset win over favoured Pacinello (Rick Plano) and Neptune Blue Chip (Hennessey). It was the 14th win of 2012 for owner Dorothy Zarza's prized possession and increased his seasonal bankroll to $72,033 racing exclusively at Pompano.
Rick Plano, another recent returnee to Florida after a dash-leading summer season at Vernon Downs, fashioned the night's only driving double. The crafty veteran driver won with Hay Goodlooking, owned by his wife Maryann, as well as Special Strides, who he co-owns with partner Thomas Witt.
The weekly Florida Amateur Driving Club trot was won by Armbro Doyle for owner-driver Dein Spriggs, who eeked out a head victory over Winuendo (Joe Pennachio). Danijill (Jamie Marra) was less than a length back in third.
(Pompano Park)