The Florida Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association showcased four Stallion Stake trotting events at Pompano Park on Monday night with Showing Off and Markie capturing the juvenile fisticuffs while Tea Party Express and Railee Kwik proved best in the races for the sophomores.
Showing Off, catch driven by Wally Hennessey for the hospitalized Jay Sears - he suffered a training accident with a yearling on Sunday - captured the $22,500 non-wagering division for the colts and geldings with an astounding victory measuring 19-1/4 lengths in a lifetime best 2:01.3. Gator On Patrol was second while the highly regarded Geronimo Fame made a miscue turning for home while second and finished third, almost 30 lengths away. Midnight Michael and Swamp Gator completed the field of five.
For Showing Off, an altered son of Wewering trained by Kim Sears and owned by Richard and Sandra Dunmire along with Jay Sears, it was his fourth win in nine career starts, good for $16,478 to date.
Markie, also trained by Kim Sears for owner Jay Sears, took home the major prize in the division for the two year-old fillies as driver Wally Hennessey sent the daughter of Proud Bushy to the top past the :30 opener and led the rest of way after clocking fractions of :59 and 1:30.2 en route to a 2:01.3 win measuring a length over Trotting JC Poss. Heavily backed Prairie Sunrise – 4-5 on the toteboard was on the move turning for home but made a lengthy miscue down the lane, she finishing third but placed sixth after the judges review. Blame Bushy was elevated to third, 15-1/2 lengths back, while Faous Halle was placed fourth with Gold Star Ginger moved up a notch to catch the nickel.
Markie's scorecard now reads 5-2-0 in nine starts with $19,325 in bounty.
As second choice in the betting, Markie returned $7.60 to win.
In the non-betting $26,500 race for the three year-old colts and geldings, Railee Kwik, perfectly handled by Bruce Ranger, topped his quintet with a sharp 1:59.2 win for Bruce Ranger.
The gelded son of Basil, trained by Jim McDonald for owner Joe Pennacchio, left from his outside post and followed pacesetting Tim T through fractions of :29.2, :59 and 1:29.4 before leaving his cozy pocked turning for home , collaring Tim T a few steps later and then holding off the belated late surge of Goucher to score by 1-1/4 lengths. Sky Crest finished third while Tim T was fourth. Without Hesitation picked up the minors.
The victory was Railee Kwik's fourth this year in 12 starts and this win - the biggest of his career - sent his lifetime bankroll to $37,283.
In the companion $24,000 event for the sophomore fillies, Tea Party Express, again catch driven by Rick Plano for trainer Mel Turcotte, proved her win of last week was no fluke as she rolled by Tyrees Treasure on the final turn on her way to a five length win in 2:00.1.
This daughter of Feel Like A Winner, owned by Barbara Turcotte, Victoria Howard and Pete Roccasano, was away in good order and followed Tyrees Treasure through opening panels of :29.2 and :59.2 before brushing to the lead at the 1:30.1 third station and coasting home unchallenged.
Tyrees Treasure did finish second while Holly's Diamond rallied for third. Sweet Loreley and Piper Pfeiffer completed the field.
The victory for Tea Party Express was her third this year in 16 starts - sixth lifetime - and sent her career earnings to $55,291.
She paid $3.20 as the solid public choice.
(Pompano Park)