Driver-trainer Rick Schaut celebrated his ninth anniversary by guiding A TC Queenie to a 1:54.2 victory in Pompano Park's $11,000 Open Handicap Trot for Mares on Wednesday night (February 7).
The five-year-old daughter of Triumphant Caviar led every step of her mile. She clocked lively panels of :27.2, :55.4 and 1:24.4 along the way. She utilized a :29.3 final quarter to seal the deal. Shes All In (driven by Rick Plano) finished two and a quarter lengths back in second.
Explosive Jet, with Ricky Macomber Jr. in the bike, was third, a nose further back, while Modern Mercury finished fourth. Second Sister rallied from last half way through the mile to finish fifth while Diamond Dagger, the 3-5 tote-board favourite, never fired and finished sixth.
A TC Queenie, driven by Rick Schaut, captured Pompano Park's Open Trot for mares on Wednesday, stopping the timer in 1:54.2. (Skip Smith Photo)
Schaut, who co-owns the mare with sister Trish Soulsby, was humble after the win saying, "’Queenie’ has always been good to us from day one. She's just getting back after a few months off and, each start, she's been getting better. I thought this was the perfect spot to send her from the five post and she came ready to race. She was strong every step and it was a great anniversary present for me and my wife, Liz.
"My sister was here to see it, so it was doubly special for everyone.”
The win – her 15th in 48 lifetime starts – pushed A TC Queenie's career earnings to $279,146 to go along with her 1:53 mark last year at Scioto Downs.
As the 7-2 second choice, A TC Queenie paid $9.20 to win.
The $11,000 co-feature Open Trot went to Midnite Craze, driven by Dave Ingraham for Ivan Davies, who trains for owner G. Richard Mason, Jr.
Pompano racing will continue on Saturday night with a Pick-6 carryover of $1,703. The Super Hi-5 carryover has blossomed to $171,941 for the competitive nine-race program.
Post time for the card is set for 7:20 p.m.
(With files from Pompano Park)