Midnite Craze and Vicki All took top honours in Pompano Park's twin $15,000 Open Handicap Trotting features on Wednesday night (March 28). The former stopped the clock in 1:55.2 for Dave Ingraham and the latter hit the wire in 1:56.3 for Mickey McNichol.
Midnite Craze ($16.20), the aggressive eight-year-old gelded son of Crazed, led at every pole through fractions of :28.3, :57.3 and 1:26.2 before his :29 closer was good enough to hold Boli (who was handled by Wally Hennessey) safe by a neck.
Uncle Hanover, with Andy Santeramo in the bike, was third, two and a quarter lengths away, while Prairie Fortune finished fourth. Favoured Born To Thrive finished fifth.
Trained by Ivan Davies for owner G. Richard Mason Jr., Midnite Craze won for the second time this year in what was his fourth seasonal start. He has now banked $16,500 this year and $193,331 lifetime to go along with his 26 wins from 79 career starts.
Vicki All ($7.80), a recent purchase by owner Joseph Martinelli Sr., received picture-perfect handling from new trainer and driver Mickey McNichol. The six-year-old daughter of Valley Victor left alertly and yielded early. She stalked Modern Mercury (Wally Hennessey) through fractions of :28.2, :57.4 and 1:27.1. Straightening away for home, McNichol guided his mare out of the cozy pocket, pulled on even terms at mid-stretch, and then began edging away late to score by one and a half lengths. Second Sister, with Jim Meittinis in her sulky, was third while Explosive Jet and favoured Diamond Dagger earned the minor awards in the field of seven.
The win was the first of the year for Vicki All, who has now made eight seasonal starts. The win pushed her seasonal earnings to $23,275. Lifetime, Vicki All has $145,561 on her card.
Wally Hennessey and Andy Santeramo, the two leading percentage drivers in terms of wins at Pompano Park, shared the limelight on Wednesday night, each piloting three winners on the program.
Racing at Pompano will continue on Sunday night. There is also a carryover in the Super Hi-5 finale of $7,074.
Post time for the card is set for 7:20 p.m.
(With files from Pompano Park)