Pompano Park played host to the FSBOA sponsored Melvyn Aylor Memorial Stakes on Sunday night with two year-olds in the spotlight.
I Rhoda Daley, Brian, Gold Star Diablo and Starcasim took home the major share of their respective events, with the latter pulling off a major upset in the lone event on the pari-mutuel program.
Starcasim, a two year-old daughter of Mysticism owned by Russ Guardino along with trainer Joe Sanzeri, got up in the final stride to edge past Prairie Easter, handled by Corey Braden, by a neck in 1:56.3 in the $16,050 Aylor division for pacing fillies.
Prairie Foolish, with Jim Meittinis in the bike, rallied from an early miscue to finish third while Diamond Eyes was fourth. The 1-5 heavy favourite, Krinda, had an extraordinarily difficult journey and was only able to finish fifth.
At the outset, Prairie Easter, leaving from the advantageous Post 5, left with alacrity to command right from the get-go with Starcasim away very well from Post 1 and Krinda, appearing rough gaited, third, but on the move forward as the leader reached the quarter in :28.3.
With Krinda still pressing forward, an identical second panel in :28.3 left Prairie Easter and Krinda racing as a team halfway through the mile in :57.1.
Along the backside, Krinda, still rough gaited, continued to press Prairie Easter with driver Sanzeri having to make a decision whether to move three wide or sit cozy along the inside past the third station in 1:26.2.
He chose the latter and found room turning for home and began gnawing away at the leader, finally edging by in the final stride or two.
In a post race interview, driver Joe Sanzeri related, "Well, this was a great time for Starcasim to break her maiden.
"Wally's mare (Krinda) just wasn't herself and she obviously was the one to beat here. My filly left a bit more alertly than she usually does and I was in a great spot all the way. On the final turn, I knew I had to make a decision to wither sit tight or go around. I decided to sit tight hoping I could find some room.
"Fortunately, for me anyhow, I had the opportunity to come out from the pocket and she responded. She's a game thing and I am very proud of her performance tonight!
“Super Night,” which is next Sunday at Pompano Park, "should be very interesting," he concluded.
In garnering her maiden win, Starcasim more than doubled her earnings, which now stand at $14,230 on the strength of her 1-2-2 scorecard in eight career starts.
Off as the 14-1 third choice in the betting, Starcasim paid $31.00 to win and, with the vast majority of the place pool wagered on Krinda, an even healthier $39.80 to place.
Prairie Easter, off as the 5-2 second choice, paid $17.80 to place. There was no show betting.
In the ‘better for the bettor department,’ Monday's program features four carryovers including the Pentafecta fourth ($3,179.03), Pick-5 ($2,504.33), Pick-6 ($1,624.79) and Super Hi-5 Finale ($13,743.92)
Post time is set for 7:20 p.m.
(With files from Pompano)