Cascata and Goldstar Raider were victorious in their respective divisions in the opening leg of the Midnite Hardy Late Closing Series at Pompano Park on Monday night.
Cascata, an eight-year-old gelded son of American Ideal, was last half way through the mile but rallied late with a :29 finale to nail the photo finish win in 1:52.2 for Dave Ingraham, subbing this night for owner-trainer-son Dustin Ingraham.
Cascata’s winning margin was a neck over Van Gundy Hanover (Rick Plano) with Bold Willie, cutting panels of :27; :55.1 and 1:22.3, third, just a nostril back in the picture.
“He’s just a rugged war horse,” said driver Dave Ingraham. “He’s got a lot of starts under his girth—almost 200” –actually 191—“so I don’t use him too hard early hoping for a lively pace. We got it tonight going three-quarters in (1):22 and a piece and he picked up the marbles at the end. It was an ideal trip for him.”
Cascata now has 33 wins in his 191 career starts with earnings of $155,239.
It was the initial victory for owner-trainer Dustin Ingraham since he claimed Cascata at the end of last year. Cascata paid $19.00 to win.
The second division went to Goldstar Raider, with Brad Kramer in the bike, scoring in his debut for new owner-trainer Mike Sweeney after a claim last week.
This seven-year-old gelded son of Rock On scored in a three horse photo—his winning margin a neck—over Beach Blast, who, in turn was a nose better than St Pete Star with the mile timed in 1:53.1.
In winning for the 26th time in 99 lifetime starts, Goldstar Raider pushed his career bounty to $154,953. He paid $8.20 to win.
With the 55 to 1 outsider Ashleys Desire capturing the Pompano Park finale on Monday night, the track's Pick-4 event went unsolved on Monday night with the $9,978 carryover the catalyst for a $40,000 Pick-4 guarantee on Tuesday night. The Pick-4 covers races six through nine.
Thus, the Tuesday night program in South Florida will feature a Pick-5 guarantee of $20,000 and a Pentafecta fourth race guaranteed pool of $10,000 to go along with the lucrative Pick-4 guarantee.
Also the Super Hi-5 finale jackpot now stands at $75,733 going into the Tuesday night program.
Post time is set for 7:30 p.m.
(Pompano Park)