Baby Boy Grin, superbly handled by Kevin Wallis, scored his second consecutive victory in Pompano Park's $10,000 Open Handicap Trot on Wednesday night.
The nine-year-old pacing bred trotter, trained by Norm Dessureault for owners Geoff and Mary Howles, stopped the clock in 1:55.1, pinning a three length defeat on Shes All In (Rick Plano) with Count Speed (Wally Hennessey) third.
Favourite Andover America finished fourth while Gale Warning earned the minors in the sextet.
An anticipated speed duel for early supremacy was won by Andover America, who swept up to take command from his outside post as they hit the first turn with Shes All In second and Baby Boy Grin forced to tuck in the third spot.
Positions remained stagnant through opening panels of :27.3 and :57.3 but, three-eighths out, Wallis sent Baby Boy Blue out and driving and, though the third quarter was officially clocked in :28.3, "Baby Boy" easily took command at that third station and sprinted clear from there.
Shes All In closed on the inside and Count Speed showed his best stride on the far outside to finish 2-3 in the mile.
After the event, Wallis said, "This horse does like the front end but, with the others leaving both on the inside and outside, I thought it be prudent to settle in third while I had the opportunity. He responded very well when I asked him midway on the backstretch and he was strong all the way to the wire."
For Baby Boy Blue, it was his 10th win of the year in 30 starts and sent his seasonal bounty to $77,297. The victory--his 36th lifetime--sent his lifetime bounty just $101 short of the half-million dollar mark--$499,899.
As second choice on the board at 7-5, Baby Boy Grin paid $4.80 to win to his faithful followers.
Racing resumes on Saturday night with Panocchio, Duc Dorleans and Prairie Jaguar renewing their rivalry in Hippomania II. Also, the Melvyn Aylor Stakes for Florida-breds will be contested in five separate events. Post time for the pari-mutuel program remains at 7:30 p.m. with four of the five Aylor Stakes off the betting card beginning at 6:20 p.m.
(Pompano Park)