Events for claiming trotters early on the Monday evening program at Pompano Park provided driver Fern Paquet, Jr. with two trips to the winner's circle and his 50th win of the 2009-2010 meet in South Florida
.
In the program's featured $10,000-$12,500 claiming trot, 10-year-old mare Slated For Success was making her second start back after a two month rest. Bacon Hill Betty posted lead times of :28.1, :57.4, and 1:27 before surrendering to the first over attack of Brancaleone. When Paquet asked the mare for her best stride in late stretch from second over she was all set to accelerate up to the wire going away in 1:57.3. Brancaleone gamely stayed for the runner-up share with Dee Day Fame brushing up for the show spot after a third over journey.
Jamie Paquet of Vernon, NY trains and co-owns Slated For Success. Robert Caruso of Fort Pierce, FL also holds an ownership share of the 22-time career winner.
Just one race prior, Paquet made the most of a late catch drive call with $6,000 claiming trotter T A Loris Triumph. He guided the mare to a 1:58.3 life's mark score from back in the pack to put away Southern Beauty and Consulate. Bill Nelson trains the 5-year-old Giant Triumph-Crowning Lori miss for Heddy Nelson of Tamarac, FL.
A hot streak continued on Monday evening for driver David Ingraham. Just like last Friday night, he reined in three winners on the March 1 program. Ingraham's wins were with three-year-old pacers Hallin Gator and Ace Le Ru along with claiming pacer Ive Got The Desire.
Canadian trainer Gary Hodgson of London, ON sent out his first starter of the 2009-2010 meet at the Isle on the March 1 program. Touch Of Grand, a 3-year-old Astreos-Pick A Card gelding, turned in a solid runner-up finish in his first start of the year. Hodgson is also the owner of Touch Of Grand
Trainer Tom Minor and driver DeWayne Minor of Lexington, KY, have sent out their first starters of the meet. Their first two starts at the Isle have been with a pair of three-year-olds, including Cambest-Pertnear Purty filly Shesapurtylady and Kilowatt-Allison Jo gelding Every Day Wonder.
(Pompano Park)