Sweet Heaven, driven by John MacDonald, overcame the elements and an extremely tough journey to score a repeat victory in the $14,200 featured Open Handicap Pace for fillies and mares in 1:53 on Wednesday night (Dec. 15) at Pompano Park.
With the opening race delayed because of track conditions caused by torrents of rain hours before, the track condition was listed as sloppy with the "gooey" surface repaired to racing condition only after Danny Roberts' track crew pulled off another miracle.
By the time the feature for the ladies was ready to go, it would become necessary for Sweet Heaven to perform at the loftiest of levels -- which she did.
Off a 1:50.4 win last week over a lightning fast oval, yesterday's surface was anything but, forcing this five-year-old daughter of Sweet Lou into a "three-move" mile, "rare in racing today."
The margin of victory was a diminishing neck at the line over the late-surging Sea Shadows (Wally Hennessey) with Brilliant Beauty (Kevin Wallis) also surging late to be third, one length away. Powered By Mach was fourth after fighting bravely until deep stretch while Abuelita Hanover, closing fastest of all, finished fifth in the very classy septet.
Sweet Heaven was sent off the wings at the outset, only out-sprinted by Prairie Westerngal early. But Sweet Heaven was not content with the pocket and forged to the top right at the opening panel in :27. Right after that, Powered By Mach surged to the front three-eighths in and took the field through an opening half in a "gooey" :56. Again, Sweet Heaven was not comfortable in the pocket and brushed for a third time midway up the backside. That's when the war really became ferocious as Sweet Heaven, outside, and Powered By Mach, inside, were exchanging punches, which continued until the 16th pole when Sweet Heaven stuck a nose in front for good and then was tenacious enough to hold off Sea Shadows on the wire.
After the event, MacDonald lamented, "She went some trip tonight. It was difficult out there tonight. It was 'gooey' out there and she had to produce a 'three-move' mile to get it done. Very amazing as she was anxious all the way around. It was a very game performance!"
Keith Kamann trains the winner for the J L Benson Stables and the win -- her seventh of the year -- vaulted her 2021 earnings to $74,491 and lifetime bankroll too $187,463 to go along with her 1:49.4 Hoosier Park mark.
Off at 1-5 on the toteboard, Sweet Heaven paid $2.60 to win.
The $12,600 Open II Pace for mares went to Image Of A Dream, catch-driven by Kevin Wallis for trainer Rick Plano. The six-year-old daughter of Rockin Image romped hoome a 5-1/2-length winner over Primo Extremo (Braxten Boyd) with Casies Believer (Joe Chindano Jr.) third ahead of Bye Bye Felicia and Roll With Angel in the octet.
Image Of A Dream was given a heady drive by Wallis, settling in fourth early as a seemingly headstrong Primo Extremo hit the opener in :27.1. After that, Wallis was on the attack with Image Of A Dream but decided to take a seat in the pocket as the leader hit the half in :55.1. On the backside, Image Of A Dream finally forged to the front and widened her lead with every stride.
Image Of A Dream now sports an 8-4-4 scorecard in 44 busy starts this year, good for $69,438 for owner Maryann Plano. She paid $2.80 to win.
Racing continues on Super Night Sunday at Pompano Park with more than $400,000 in purses up for grabs as the the Florida-breds take the spotlight in their eight-race championship. The track will also offer its guaranteed Pick-4 pool (industry low 12 per cent takeout) and a Super Hi-5 finale that has ballooned to more than $20,000. Post time is 7:20 p.m.
(With files from Pompano Park)