Bombilla Hanover continued her dominance in the Mares Open at Pompano Park on Sunday night, winning for the fifth straight week — this time in 1:52.3 for Bruce Ranger.
The five-year-old daughter of The Panderosa was away alertly from her outside post in the quintet, settling into third shortly after the start. But just a few steps from the opening station she was out and driving, securing the lead just after the :27.4 quarter and recording panels of :56.4 and 1:25. Those fractions were soft enough to allow a :27.3 sprint home to score by a three-quarters of a length as the overwhelming 1-10 favourite.
Abbey Road Hanover (Kevin Wallis) was a game second while Windows Online (Rick Plano) finished third, four and a quarter lengths away. Kaylas Dream (David Ingraham) and Southwind Trini (Wally Hennessey) completed the rundown.
In a post-race interview, Ranger said, “[Trainer Peter Blood] really has this mare razor sharp now. She actually ‘told’ me that she was ready to make that move to the front...so she was actually driving me tonight, not the other way around. Great gaited...sharp...handy...she’s everything you could ask for going to the gate. Her turnaround has been nothing short of amazing.”
Owned by Rick Berks and Lew Whitaker along with trainer Blood, Bombilla Hanover is now five-for-seven this year, good for $20,750 in purses. She’s banked $143,128 lifetime on the strength of 17 lifetime wins in her 60 starts.
(With files from Pompano Park)