Zeitgeist and Mystical Shopper took top honours at Pompano Park on Saturday as Late Closing events continued at the South Florida oval — this night for the Florida Amateur Driving Club spotlighting claiming trotters.
Zeitgeist, trained by Allen Saul for owner/driver Dein Spriggs, took the opening division of two with a hard earned 2:00.4 victory, holding off the determined late bid of Saintfrancis, driven by Jamie Marra, to score by a head. Good Friend finished third for Tony Dinges, five and a half lengths away, nosing out Rel Cash Clown and Lucky Danish in the field of six.
When the Hummer Gate sprung, Joe Pennacchio had Lucky Danish on the engine from post five, sprinting out to an open lead measuring three lengths with the rest of the field in post position order — Rel Cash Clown, Good Friend, Saint Francis, Leonardo and Zeitgeist, the favourite, last but on the move once they passed the opening panel in :30.
By turn two, en route of a half in :59.3, Lucky Danish continued to lead with Rel Cash Clown still second and Good Friend remaining third while Zeitgeist went the overland route first up into fourth.
On the backside, Zeitgeist continued to churn forward, reaching the saddle pad of the leader once they clocked in at the third station in 1:30.1.
Straightening away, Zeitgeist forged to the lead and only had to hold off the late-surging Saint Francis, which he did in a photo.
After the event, Spriggs related, “Zeitgeist is just an honest, hard-hitting trotter that thrives in this particular class and rarely puts in a bad performance. If someone looks him in the eye, he digs in. If he looks someone in the eye, they know they’re being looked at. He’s just a tough racehorse.”
Zeitgeist, an eight-year-old son of SJs Caviar, won for the eighth time in 30 tries this season, good for $28,583 in bounty. He’s banked $111,943 lifetime.
Off at 4-5, Zeitgeist paid $3.60 to his many followers.
The second division went to the three-year-old filly Mystical Shopper, making her Pompano Park debut.
This daughter of Swan For All, trained by John MacDonald for the JP Stables of Winchester, Ont., was driven by Leon Cable and used her rail post position to perfection, wiring together panels of :28, :57.1 and 1:28 en route to a handy 1:59 victory measuring one and a quarter lengths over Play Fair, with Steve Oldford in the bike. Good Feeling and Dein Spriggs teamed up for third while Tymal Recap finished fourth. What About Brian was fifth in the septet.
Mystical Shopper now sports a 4-5-4 scorecard in 23 starts with earnings of $19,673 this semester.
In a post-race interview, driver Cable said, “This, of course, is the first time I’ve sat behind her and John (trainer MacDonald) said she’s pretty good on the front end, so I just let her do her own thing...pretty cut and dry!”
As the 3-1 third choice in the betting pool, Mystical Shopper paid $8.40 to win.
Racing continues on a five-night-a-week schedule with only Thursdays and Fridays dark. The Sunday program features the $11,000 Open Handicap Pace with Bluehourpower looking for his third straight success at Pompano Park since his arrival. The four-year-old son of Sand Shooter looks to add to his lifetime bounty of $508,256 for owner Wilber Eash. Ricky Macomber is expected back in the bike for this encounter.
Monday’s card features the final of the Success Cameo Late Closer while Tuesday’s 11-race program features the $11,500 Open Handicap Trot — Auspicious Hanover seeking a repeat for owner Susan Oakes. Kevin Wallis will be in the bike.
The Wednesday program is bursting with 14 races featuring a wagering buffet that includes two Pentafecta races and a pair of Pick 4 events to go along with the usual Pick 5 and Super Hi-5 offerings.
Post time is 7:30 p.m. for the Sunday-Monday-Tuesday programs while Wednesday’s post has been moved up to 7 p.m.
(With files from Pompano Park)