Amateur drivers Billy Muggleston and Ron Cusimano shared the spotlight at Pompano Park on Sunday night (April 18) as they drove their respective charges to victory in Florida Amateur Driving Club (FADC) events.
Muggleston, who was the helicopter pilot for Herve Filion during his career, was in the pilot seat as he steered his own Fleet Cessna to victory in the fourth race as the 9-1 outsider, rewarding his faithful with a $21.00 mutuel.
Muggleston, a man of many missions for Filion, guided this six-year-old gelded son of Manofmanymissions from fourth around the second turn and brushed him to the front on the backside while opening up an insurmountable lead and coasting to victory in 1:58.2.
Stormy Dude closed well for second while the favored Muscles Aplenty was next.
It was the first win for Muggleston since May 20, 2018, covering 51 starts, prompting him to say in a post race interview, "I was waiting for some of that Herve magic and Herve touch to rub off on me for a change and tonight was the night. My horse was in a bit easier tonight and he drew nicely and things worked out. A lot of credit goes, of course, to the horse and to trainer Allen Saul and caretaker Cindy Lipp for their dedication to our horses."
It was the initial win in 13 starts for Fleet Cessna, who just weeks ago went over the $100,000 plateau in career earnings.
Cusimano actually got things started by guiding owner-trainer Tom Petri's Railee Workable to a 1:58.4 win for his fourth success of the year in 13 starts.
The nine-year-old Florida-bred son of Basil had to use multiple moves during his journey to score by three-quarter lengths over Forbidden Song in second and Pepin Coolie third, two lengths away.
Cusimano sent Railee Workable in search of the lead along with the favourite, War Cry Hall. Forbidden Song was also on the prowl as this threesome traded jabs for the first half mile before Railee Workable used a backstretch sprint to the front and never looked back.
The win was No. 29 for Railee Workable and sent his career earnings to $225,815. As the 3-1 third choice, Railee Workable paid $8.60 to win.
Several members of the Florida Amateur Driving Club gathered in the winner's circle as the F.A.D.C. President Dein Spriggs made a presentation to the Trotting Museum and Hall of Fame in the amount of $2,000.
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The club, whose members donate all driving earnings back for charitable donations, has contributed well over $200,000 to organizations such as Make-A-Wish, Go For The Greens, American Cancer Society and sanctuaries for retired race horses, among others.
The track also hosted a 10-year memorial for the late William Fay Nelson, known as the "King of the Claimers" during his many years in our sport--one of his favorite being Big Bad Bud, a horse whose diet included chewing tobacco.
The evening concluded with Endeavors Pride taking the nightcap at 7-2 odds keying a 4-1-3-9-6 combination returning $23,139.44 for the 20-cent ticket.
Racing continues of Monday night (April 19) with a carryover in the Pick 6 of $10,634, a pair of Pick-4 events, each with a $20,000 guaranteed pool along with an industry low 12 percent takeout.
A classic confrontation is expected in the $11,000 Open Handicap Pace which headlines the 13-race extravaganza with Rebellious Ideal Feeling and Skip To My Lou among the entrants.
First-race post is set for 7:20 p.m. (EDT).
(Pompano Park)