B N Bad and Panocchio shared the spotlight on Saturday night, each scoring impressive wins in their respective events at Pompano Park.
B N Bad, nailed near the wire as the favourite in his last two starts, didn't disappoint his backers this time around in the $10,000 winners over feature, scoring a decisive win measuring 2-1/4 lengths in 1:52.1.
The six-year-old son of Soho, handled by Bruce Ranger for trainer Pete Pellegrino and the Baron Racing Stable, went to the top beginning with his initial stride out of the gate and led every step of the way, feeling only minimal pressure in the final turn before sprinting clear turning for home after clocking panels of :26.4, :55.4 and 1:23.3.
Hurricane Scotty J and Matt Romano teamed up for the place honours while Freeneasy Hanover, driven by Wally Hennessey, finished third after being in the garden spot most of the mile.
"This horse had :26 opening quarter speed so I wasn't that concerned with the quick first number and was able to rate him a bit to the half,” said driver Bruce Ranger. “I let him out a notch on the backside (:27.4) to try and discourage any threatening developments and he did this all on his own. It was a very solid performance. After all, he does have a mark of (1):49 and a piece.
It was the seventh win of the year for B N Bad and 24th lifetime and sent his lifetime bounty to $345,648. B N Bad paid $6.20 to win.
Ranger was also in the bike as the three-year-old Panocchio, co-owned by trainer Jim Mattison along with Emile Johnson, Jr., scored a very game win in 1:51, holding off a very determined Lyons Johnny (Wally Hennessey) to win by a head.
The son of No Pan Intended blasted out of the gate to take command early, yielded to Lyons Johnny just before the opening quarter (:26.3), reclaimed the lead a few steps later and clicked off subsequent number of :54.4 and 1:23 and still had a :28 second finale in his heart as he and Lyons Johnny raced together right down to the wire. Special Strides, driven by Rick Plano, closed stoutly to finish third, just a length away. Gentleman Friend and Hurricane Howard got the final awards in the field of nine.
It was the seventh lifetime win for the youngster - all this year - and lowered his previous mark of 1:52.3 accomplished in his last start.
"Pretty surprising to me," said trainer Jim Mattison after the race. "I know this horse has talent, but I really didn't know he has this much talent. He's been racing at Saratoga and did well up there. Maybe I have something here, who knows."
While the time may have been unexpected, the outcome certainly wasn't as the bettors made Panocchio the 4 to 5 tote-board favorite. He paid $3.80 to win.
In yet another co-feature, Neptune Blue Chip, enjoying a bit of class relief, wired his competition for Andy Santeramo in 1:53.
The five-year-old son of American Ideal took command shortly after a brief tussle with Oozies Bad Boy (Rick Plano) and carded number of :27.2, :55.3 and 1:23.4 before cruising home to a victory measuring just short of three lengths.
There was a dead-heat for second in the event with Oozies Bad Boy and Yankees In Six (Stephane Lareau) tying for the second spot.
Neptune Blue Chip earned his 19th lifetime win - fifth this year - for trainer Jim McDonald, who handles the chores for Twenty Four Carrot Racing and Ciro Gentile.
In what was deemed to be a very competitive by the bettors, Neptune Blue Chip paid $8.20 as the third betting choice on the board.
Also, driver Jimmy Whittemore, making his first appearance at Pompano Park, made it a winning one as he scored a five-length win with Small Bills for owner, trainer and father Dennis Whittemore in 1:58.2.
(Pompano Park)