In a five-horse photo, Northern Companion, again handled by Dave Ingraham for trainer Howard Klohr and owner Dorothy Zarza, gutted out top honours in Pompano Park's $10,000 Open Pace on Saturday night.
The six-year-old son of Cambest showed remarkable gameness and resiliency, refusing to give up when he appeared beaten in mid-stretch, and scored in 1:52, his winning margin officially a neck over the late surging Whos Your Maddy (John MacDonald). Freeneasy Hanover (Wally Hennessey), stablemate of 'Maddy,' finished third just a half-length away, edging past pacesetting Hillybilly in the final stride. Cruizin K C picked up the 'nickel' in the six-horse field.
Hillybilly rocketed out of the gate into the lead just past the first eighth pole, but midway around the turn with positions now established, driver Bruce Ranger grabbed a hold of his charge and rated him through an opener of :27.3 with Freeneasy Hanover, Whos Your Maddy and Northern Companion next, about four and a half lengths off the lead.
Sensing the very moderate pace, Ingraham began his grind forward with one lap to go and was third, two lengths off Hillybilly through a soft opening half in :57.
On the backside, things really started heating up and by the final turn were sizzling as Northern Companion was put through a supreme test during a third panel in :26.4 -- his one tick faster.
Turning for home, Hillybilly kicked clear again with Freeneasy now taking up the chase, Northern Companion two lengths away and drifting out a bit, and Whos Your Maddy flying between horses.
But when it counted, Northern Companion refused to be denied in the photo finish victory.
"This was not easy!" said Ingraham in a post-race interview. "To grind forward through a quarter like that is amazing, and yes, I thought we were beaten in mid-stretch, but this horse really has that rare quality about him that, when he gets some racetrack in front of him, he wants to gobble it up! He just never quits!"
'Buddy's win (he's called Buddy around the stable), was his third this year and 35th lifetime, sending his lifetime bounty to $208,082 -- $21,250 this young season in seven starts.
As the 1-2 public choice, Northern Companion paid $3 to win.
(With files from Pompano Park)