With the presence of Florida standout three-year-old pacer Keemosabe in the field, a big upset transpired in the Saturday evening, May 19 feature for a $7,500 purse at The Isle Casino Racing Pompano Park
. Northern Companion, in rein to Robert Hoffman, used his customary closing rush to sweep to victory at 14-1.
Keemosabe, in rein to Bruce Ranger, seized command over Waldy Jimmy, in rein to Dan Clements, and Red Star Paylater, with Walter Ross Jr. in tow, after the quarter in :27.1. With the track rated sloppy from continuing rain over most of the past two days at the South Florida venue, Keemosabe posted middle fractions of :56 seconds and 1:24.3. By mid-stretch, Keemosabe was vulnerable to the onslaught of older rivals coming after him. Northern Companion started a three-wide brush early on the final turn and was best of all coming to the wire to stop the clock in 1:52.4. Waldy Jimmy was back out to save second and Red Star Paylater overtook Keemosable for third.
Northern Companion returned an astonishing $30.40 on the win ticket, even though he's won seven of 15 starts this year. Howard Klohr conditions the versatile four-year-old pacer by Cambest from Smoke It Out for owner Dorothy Zarza of Lake Worth, Florida.
'Maritime' Barn Change For Buggsy Yankee
Pacer Buggsy Yankee has undergone a barn change involving Maritime Canada connections and regained his winning form on the Saturday evening, May 19 program at Pompano.
Through the end of April, the six-year-old Western Hanover-Breathe gelding was campaigned at 2011-12 Pompano meet by Leith and Leslie Waite of Charlottetown and Summerside, P.E.I. In May the pacer's ownership changed under a private treaty to Twenty Four Carrot and Pacing Pretty Stables of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Trainer Jim McDonald, originally from Newfoundland, is now conditioning Buggsy Yankee. McDonald, originally from St. John's, Nfld., was inducted into the Florida Hall Of Fame in February by the state's chaper of the United States Harness Writers' Association (USHWA).
With Dan Clements in the bike, Buggsy Yankee made ample amends for a near miss photo finish defeat last week to score in 1:56.1 over the track rated sloppy and under steady rain. It was the 16th career win for Buggsy Yankee to increase his life's earnings to almost $139,000. Following next under the wire were C B Tower, partnered by Tom Sells, and Mustabeenadreamer, in rein to Bruce Ranger.
There were no winners of the Pompano Pick 4 on the Saturday evening program. Into Monday evening, there's a carryover of $1,483 and a total pool of over $5,000 expected for the popular wager with a reduced 15 per cent takeout.
(Pompano Park)