Rockntouch, given a superb drive by Mickey McNichol, took top honours in Pompano Park's $10,000 Open Handicap Pace on Sunday night (May 29), stopping the timer in 1:51.3.
The four-year-old altered son of Rock N Roll Heaven, pinned a one and three-quarter length defeat on new arch-rival Northern Companion, with Dave Ingraham in the bike. Im A Gift, handled by Kevin Wallis, finished third while Abreathofreshart and Here Comes William completed the classy quintet of pacers.
At the outset, there was a three-way battle for supremacy with Here Comes William, Abreathofreshart and Rockntouch all vying for the lead with the latter finally gaining the top spot right at the opening marker of :27.2.
From there, McNichol guided Rockntouch through panels of :55.4 and 1:23.4 before a :27.4 finale sealed the deal over a late-charging Northern Companion, who was content to trail through the first three-quarters of the mile, before his double-bubble binge began gnawing in on the leader -- a binge that came up only second-best this night.
In a post race interview, driver McNichol related, "You know, last week, he [Northern Companion] got the jump on me on the backside and I didn't really find room to roam until it was too late.
"This week, I thought to myself, 'If I get a jump on him, it might just work out.'
"Both horses [Rockntouch and Northern Companion] are pretty equal right at this time so, that being the case, I figured if I got a couple lengths jump on him this time, I might be able to get my horse home this time.
"If he's a couple of lengths better and I have three or four on him early, I'm gonna get home in front.
"That's exactly what happened."
Trained by veteran Odell Thompson for Salvatore Promuto and the Fred Monteleone Stable, Rockntoucch won for the seventh time this semester, sending his 2016 bounty to $30,374. The time was a lifetime-best for the gelding, as well.
As the 2-1 second choice, Rockntouch paid $6 to win.
The driving star of the night was Kevin Wallis, who swept the final four races on the card, completing his natural grand slam with his own Teranadawn in a seven-horse photo finish. Wallis' other winners were Mikes Powerhouse (1:53.2), Country Fresh (1:55.2) and Machmemackie, also owned by Wallis, in 1:53.2.
In Florida Amateur Driving Club action, Jamie Marra and John Campagnuolo came up with victories back their respective mounts, Engagedatlexington and Showing Off. Engagedatlexington, scored in 1:58.2, giving Marra his 50th lifetime win and Campagnuolo guided Showing Off to a gate-to-wire win in 1:58.3 for his 51st lifetime driving win.
Pompano Park's 2015-2016 season concludes on Tuesday night, May 31, with an eight-race program featuring a mandatory Super Hi-5 payout in the eight race finale. The carryover going into the race is $28,537.55 with that final pool expected to balloon significantly by the eight race post time. Post time for the opener is 7:30 p.m.
(With files from Pompano Park)