Rockys Z Tam and Hollywood Sign A won the opening legs of the Fred Monteleone Memorial Series at Pompano Park on Sunday (February 25). Each of the horses covered the abbreviated distance of five-eighths of a mile in 1:08.2.
Monteleone, a longtime patron of the sport who bred and owned many notable horses, passed away last October after a lengthy battle with cancer.
Rockys Z Tam, the six-year-old gelded son of World Of Rocknroll, went a game first over journey for driver Ricky Macomber Jr. to score by a neck over the pacesetting Drachan Hanover (driven by Wally Hennessey). Lyons Johnny closed stoutly for John MacDonald to finish third, just a half length away, while the favourite, Dees Rocket Man, finished fourth. Fritzie Pic Up Man, last and far back early from his outside post, actually closed fastest of all to finish fifth in the seven-horse field.
The early fractions of :27 and :54.3 were put up by Drachan Hanover. Rockys Z Tam had gotten away fourth, but was on a first-over binge and engaged the leader in war around the final bend. The two foes raced as a team all the way home, and Lyons Johnny joined the fray in deep stretch. On the line, Rockys Z Tam, an 18-1 proposition, got the nod and scored his second win of the year in what was his seventh start.
In a post-race interview, trainer Jamie Macomber was proud of the pacer’s performance, relaying, "He (Rockys Z Tam) had been giving hints in his recent races, so I was expecting him to be competitive tonight. Ricky (husband Macomber) drove him with confidence and the horse raced with confidence. He kept digging right to the wire...very happy!"
Owned by Z Tam Stables LLC, Rockys Z Tam won for the 14th time in 99 career starts. The majority share of the Sunday race’s $12,000 purse sent his lifetime bounty to $162,196.
Sent postward as the fifth choice in the wagering, Rockys Z Tam paid $38.20 to win.
Hollywood Sign A, a nine-year-old Aussie-bred gelding by Life Sign, was given very smart handling by owner-trainer Matt Krueger. ‘Hollywood’ pinned a one-length defeat on track record holder Panocchio, who was making his 2018 debut for trainer Jim Mattison and driver Wally Hennessey. Uncmprmising Z Tam, driven by Ricky Macomber Jr., was third, three lengths back, while Sing For Me George and Doo Wop Hanover earned the minors in the sharp octet.
At the bell, Hollywood Sign A left smartly from Post 7 with Panocchio (Post 8) in hot pursuit. Panocchio took command through an opening panel of :27.1. Panocchio continued to lead through the half in :55.1 and seemed to have things under control. Straightening away for the drive home, Hollywood Sign A tilted out of his cozy pocket and began gnawing away until taking command a sixteenth from the wire.
Second in his last four outings, Hollywood Sign A picked up his first win of the year in what was his seventh start, which vaulted his seasonal bounty to $17,385. Lifetime, it was win No. 29 in what was his 145th start. He now has $217,293 in purses.
Sent postward as the 2-1 second choice, Hollywood Sign A paid $6.20 to win.
The Fred Monteleone Memorial Series will continue – the next leg will be contested at the distance of one mile, while the $30,000 final will be contested at one and a quarter miles.
The $10,000 Open II pace was won by American Hustle ($12.40), smartly handled by Bryce Fenn.
The four-year-old son of American Ideal wired his opposition by stringing together panels of :26.2, :55.3 and 1:23.4 before a :27.3 finale held The Onlyest One, with George Napolitano Jr. handling the lines, at bay by a half length in a lifetime best 1:51.2.
Pompano racing will continue on Monday night with a Pick-5 carryover of $10,556.70 igniting a $40,000 guarantee. The Pick-5 begins on Race 1. The Super Hi-5 Jackpot is also at record territory with a carryover of $251,878.96 going into the Monday program.
Post time is set for 7:20 p.m.
(Pompano Park)