The $10,000 purse mid-week trotting feature at Pompano Park had a decidedly Michigan flavour on Wednesday, and a final half, head-to-head battle of the main combatants went to Victors Future over Gianna
.
"I raced against that mare Gianna in Michigan and at many tracks in my career and she was really tough to catch like she usually is," said winning trainer/driver Mike Micallef. "This top non-winners class is just right for my horse, Victors Future. He finds Andover America very tough but then again Victors Future is only a four-year-old so he has license to keep improving.”
Gianna, a seven-year-old Davanti-Super Samantha mare was making her second start back after a three-month rest for the Jean and Wayne Carter Stable of Imlay City, Michigan. Micallef, originally from Dearborn Heights in the Great Lakes State has raced in his home state, as well as in Ontario and New York prior to this first successful campaign in Florida.
Gianna, a 25-time career winner of over $280,000, was put on the lead by driver Dan Clements after the front quarter in :28.2 and she posted fractions :58.3 and 1:28. In the final half she was forced to race on level terms with Victors Future and that rival edged away in the shadow of the wire to score in 1:56.2. Victors Future, a four year old son of Valley Victor-Baby Bella increased his life's bankroll to more than $374,000 for owner Lewis Whitaker of Boynton Beach, FL.
"I don't have a firm date for shipping north yet, but I'll be moving up to Tioga Downs before the end of May," Micallef added. "I have a couple horses for the New York Sires Stakes which I'm really looking forward to and the tentative plan is to return to Pompano this Fall.”
Micallef recently received the Peter Haughton Award from the Florida chapter of the United States Harness Writers' Association (USHWA) as the most outstanding newcomer to the local scene in the past year.
Waldy Jimmy Movin' On Up
A new kind of test awaits three-year-old pacer Waldy Jimmy this Saturday night at the South Florida venue.
He'll be trying to extend his streak to six straight wins when he faces a field of proven older rivals in a $10,000 purse winners over event in the seventh race on the May 7 program.
(Pompano Park)