To hear Jay Sears tell it the excitement is tougher to contain with each passing day towards the December 5 Florida Super Night at The Isle Pompano Park
. The veteran horseman is never at a loss for words of praise about his two-year-old pacing filly, Black Diamond Girl. Her romp in the $12,145 Florida Sale Stakes on November 20 kept alive her chances for the $100,000 bonus offered by the Florida Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association (FSBOA) for any two-year-old able to sweep through the four major fall stakes.
"That's three down and one to go," Sears said of the Six Of Diamonds-Money For Munchkin miss moments after she stepped to a life's mark of 1:55.3. "It won't be easy to get that final leg. If more than nine horses are entered then we'll need eliminations and we should know about that on Tuesday," he says.
Kim Sears trains Black Diamond Girl, now the winner of seven of 10 starts in her rookie season for earnings topping $42,000.
"The Florida Sale is coming up on December 13 and I bought this filly last year in the Sale," Sears added. "I bought her from her breeders, Penny and Bill Kelley and she was a kind of a favourite to them. We made a deal where they could retain an ownership share and we'd train her and it's worked out just great. Our driver Wally Hennessey said before tonight he'd never really stretched her out and she got a good test this start from Isle Of View Too. She came her own back half in :56.2 and it was a new dimension of handiness we hadn't seen from her before so we're really happy."
In the winner's circle for his post-race live TV interview, Jay Sears also commented on his own attire. He turned up before the camera clad in suspenders resembling those worn by iconic CNN talk show host Larry King and by the Uncle Joe character from the long ago syndicated sitcom Petticoat Junction.
"Well let's just say I've gone to a more relaxed dress code on purpose leading up to December 5 because the excitement is building, building, and building," Jay states. "Honestly, I'm trying to keep it in check. So I'm wearing these suspenders as a reminder to calm down and keep it relaxed while this great ride continues thanks to Black Diamond Girl."
The winner of the other division of the FSBOA's Sale Stakes two-year-old filly pace also races from the Sears' barn, Diamond Chip. She was brushed to the lead in the second quarter by Wally Hennessey and travelled through fractions of :58.4 and 1:28.2. With the earplugs out, she was able to hold off Help Me Howard with Bruce Ranger and capture a life's mark of 1:56.4. Kim Sears also trains the Six Of Diamonds-Stanwyck Blue Chip rookie as she recorded her third win in 10 trips this year.
The $13,000 Open Handicap Trot on Friday night at The Isle Pompano Park showcased the fine hands of veteran reinsman Tom Sells. He kept Gale Warning in reserve and last in the field of seven at the half as Battleshoe Victor with Bruce Ranger and Colies with Wally Hennessey took turns on the lead.
Sells tipped out from second-over cover turning for home to catch that pair in time in 1:55.1. Gale Warning is now the winner of half of his eight starts this year for trainer Michile Lorenzo, and owners Ciro Gentile, Rod Lorenzo and Pomtambo Stable.
The $13,000 Fillies and Mares Open Handicap Pace on Friday night went to the pocket-sitter, Alice Springs, in 1:53. Bruce Ranger wheeled the N Aboriginal-Ilsa four-year-old mare out in the final eighth of the mile to catch the pacesetter Rio Raider and driver Matt Kakaley. Ownership of Alice Springs is held by Michael Polansky and Ciara Stable. Ontario ship-in three-year-old filly Terra Cotta Bay with Kevin Wallis in tow was third.
On Saturday night, a pair of $13,740 divisions for two-year-old State-bred pacing colts and geldings at 6:30 p.m. will conclude the Florida Sale Stakes as the last preliminary event before the December 5 Super Night. The regular Saturday night card at 7:05 p.m. will feature the $13,000 Open Handicap Pace.
In November, live programs are staged each Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday evening at The Winter Capital Of Harness Racing.
(Pompano Park)