Seeing Eye Single, confidently handled by David Miller, scored a repeat win at Pompano Park on Sunday (March 27), stopping the timer in 1:50.2 in the $14,200 Open Handicap Pace.
The brave seven-year-old gelded son of Dragon Again, made a sharp quarter move to the top after a hot opening panel, repelled a bid around the final bend and was in no danger the rest of the journey.
At the outset, Rebellious, forced to start from post number nine, zipped off the wings as usual and sizzled through an opening quarter of :26.3 while taking the lead with Double Metal (Tony Kerwood) on the prowl to take charge a few strides later, only to meet the challenge of Seeing Eye Single a handful of steps later. After reaching the half in :54.2, things began to tighten up a bit as Real Peace (Rick Plano), a stablemate of Seeing Eye Single, rushed up to engage and reached the saddlepad of the leader past the third station in 1:22.1.
Turning for home, Seeing Eye Single shook loose and opened up a bit of daylight with the only threat -- though slight it was -- was from Prairie Panther (Wally Hennessey), who was closing stoutly after beginning his journey handicapped from the second tier. Double Metal did finish third while Real Peace was next, a half-length better than Hard Rock Hulk, who picked up the nickel over Rebellious.
For the consistent Seeing Eye Single, the win was his fourth of the year, improving his scorecard to 4-3-3 in 12 starts, good for $45,909. He's banked $572,141 lifetime to go along with his Pompano Park mark of 1:49.3.
Off at 3-5, Seeing Eye Single paid $3.20 to win.
The $12,600 Open II went to JMs Delight, driven by Wally Hennessey, in a lifetime best 1:51.1.
The six-year-old altered son of Bettors Delight was husked to the front after a lively :27 opening panel and proceeded to clock panels of :56.2 and 1:23.4 before a similar :27.2 split home put him at the wire 1-3/4 lengths the best of Warrawee Veloce (Tyler Jones) with Scootnroll (Joe Chindano Jr., next. Lets Roll was fourth while Beach Forecast picked up the minor award in the field of eight.
Trained by Jack Rice for owner Greg Merton, JMs Delight earned his third win of the year in a dozen starts, good for $30,570 and $177,307 career-wise.
He paid $4 to win.
Racing continues on Monday with a carryover in the Pick-6, a $15,000 guaranteed Pick-4 pool bolstered by an industry low 12 per cent takeout, and a Super High-5 carryover jackpot just shy of $100,000. Post time is set for 7:20 p.m.
Ferrari Wins Invite To Amateur World Cup
Larry Ferrari, one of three amateur drivers outside of the Florida Amateur Drivers Club invited to the World Cup eliminations at Pompano Park, earned an invitation to that prestigious event by finishing 2-1-2 in his three events at Pompano Park on Sunday night (March 27).
Ferrari, from Macedonia, Ohio, finished the competition with 44 points, edging out Tony Dinges by five points as four of the seven remaining amateur drivers in the competition had a chance to earn the top spot going into the final leg of the six race event. Dein Spriggs was third with 38 points while Ron Cusimano was next with 37. Robert Krivelin, Joe Pennacchio, Jamie Marra and Tony Verruso (who defected from the competition after round one) completed the roster with 33, 32, 22 and 10 points, respectively.
After the first round last Sunday, Dein Spriggs had a precarious 29-23 lead but that tightened up as Tony Dinges won with the 14-1 outsider Better Call Saul, trained by Frankie Bambrick for Lee Clarke, in 1:58.1. Ferrari, handling the lines back of Somebodygetdisfool, was second while Cusimano was in the bike overcoming the outside post to finish third with Ricky Be Sharp.
In the next race, Ferrari made a sharp quarter move to the top with Rose Run Rudi and repelled a serious bid from the favoured Loyal Fox Hanover (Dinges) to score in 1:56.2 for owner/trainer Fannie Saul-Beaulieu. Mr Houdini (Marra) was third as Ferrari moved on even terms with Spriggs with Dinges just two points back heading into the final leg.
Cusimano took care of things in that one by driving What A Pittstop to victory in 1:57.3 while Ferrari sealed his invitation by finishing second with No Wine For You. Phoenician (Pennacchio) was next but the outcome was already cast in stone.
"It was just an honour to compete in this event," said Ferrari after the event. "I thought it was wonderful that the Florida Amateur Drivers Club invited us three outsiders to compete. They certainly didn't have to do that.
"The competition was really excellent and we all had a chance to go to Italy... it was that competitive. As for my driving, well, the highlight for me, of course, was the Rose Run Rudi race. That one responded just as I asked after the opening quarter and he drove just like a Ferrari all the way home. Around the final turn, I had to step on the gas a little and, just like the car, I had more horse power in the tank!
"I just want to thank the Amateur Club here in Florida for the invitation. They have been so great to me here."
Driver Ferrari is no stranger to the winner's circle having 366 wins during a career stretching back 25 years.
The World Amateur Cup competition, to begin in Italy in September, will feature amateur drivers from some 14 countries with races held in Rome, Milan and Florence.
The FADC has donated over $240,000 to worthy charitable organizations since their inception with their membership donating all earnings from driving in their events to the cause, including donations to The Standardbred Retirement Foundation, Tomorrow's Rainbow, Bit by Bit, The Make-A-Wish Foundation and The Christian Harness Horseman's Association, to name a few.
Another highlight of the Sunday night was the presence of Hall of Fame Announcer Roger Huston, who called races two through eight, pushing his lifetime number of races called closer to 200,000.
(With files from Pompano Park and FADC)