Dees Rocketman, catch-driven by Ed Hysell, came from last to take top honors in Pompano Park's featured Open Pace on Sunday, May 20.
The six year-old son of Rock N Roll Heaven, last in his classy quintet once the wings opened and things settled down, collared stable-mate Sing For Me George, driven by Mickey McNichol, to stop the timer in 1:52.4 over a track labeled fast, but dulled at bit by persistent heavy rains earlier in the day.
The official margin was a neck on the wire with Kotare Yael N, handled by Corey Braden, third, one-and-one-quarter lengths away after cutting panels of :27.3, :57 and 1:24.
Fritzie Pic Up Man, in the garden spot for much of the way, finished fourth while Major Starlight picked up the nickel.
At the outset, Kotare Yael N, leaving from post four, bursted off the wings, followed by Fritzie Pic Up, who used the rail to settle behind the leader with Sing For Me George next.
Sing For Me George left his cozy spot in third to go into attack mode in the backstretch, setting up the second-over journey for stable-mate Dees Rocketman.
Sing For Me George moved along side the leader turning for home, poked his head in front shortly thereafter, only to be nailed by his stable-mate, Dees Rocketman just yards from the wire.
In a post-race interview, driver Ed Hysell said, "Let me tell you, it's a pleasure to drive a horse like Dees Rocketman. Once we had the live cover, he just knew what he had to do. I didn't ask him for anything, he did it all on this own. He must have paced his around :55 to get it done. He's got some motor in him."
McNichol, who trains both Sing For Me George and the winner, Dee's Rocketman, said "I thought I better get moving once we were on the backside so I sent my horse [Sing For Me George]. I knew we were in a tough spot going first up but I had no other choice since Wally's horse [Fritzie Pic Up Man] wasn't about to leave his nice spot. That helped Dees Rocketman, I'm sure, because he had some live cover to follow. My horse had some fight in him tonight but just got nailed at the wire. I guess you could say that 'I did the dirty work and [Hysell] picked up the pieces."
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Owned by Joseph Martinelli, Sr., Dees Rocketman won for the eight time this semester to push his 2018 earnings over the $60,000 plateau--$60,800 to be precise.
Off at 3-5 on the tote-board, Dees Rocketman paid $3.40.
That event capped an auspicious night for McNichol as two of his trainees--Rockntouch and Blueberry Heaven--were one-two in the opener and McNichol piloted Team Captain to victory to complete the early daily double sweep.
Rockntouch, also a six year-old son of Rock N Roll Heaven, got a picture perfect journey from McNichol to score over his late-charging stable-mate Blueberry Heaven in 1:54 sending his seasonal earnings to $20,649 for The Fred Monteleone Stable and Salvatore Promuto. He's banked $191,288 lifetime.
As the second-betting choice, Rockntouch paid $4.60 to win.
Team Captain, a six-year-old son of Cams Card Shark, scored in 1:55.2, using a :28.3 closing kick to hold off F Twenty Two by a neck.
Joseph Martinelli, Sr. owns the winner, who scored his fifth win of the year to send his 2018 bounty to $29,114 and $182,325 career-wise.
Team Captain paid $2.60 to his multitude of backers, completing the $9.40 early daily double.
Racing continues Wednesday night with post time set at 7:20 p.m. for the 10-race program. The Super Hi-5 finale now has a carryover of $14,180.
(With files from Pompano Park)