Four Starz Bling was ordered to stay on the sidelines from the June 18 edition of the $14,000 Open Handicap Pace at The Isle Casino Racing Pompano Park by trainer Tom Harmer. The rest was the right tonic as the veteran returned to top form in the June 25 weekly edition of the top class event
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Wally Hennessey worked out a pocket trip as Sugars Pride, in rein to Walter Ross Jr., laid down the front end speed in :26.3, :56 and 1:23.2 while putting away the first over final half move of Maxines Menace, partnered by Robert Hoffman.
Turning for home, Four Starz Bling had clearance for takeoff and the nine-year-old Blissful Hall-Carrietowne gelding hit the wire first in 1:51.2. After following third in line, Rudy Valentino and Dan Clements was second by a head and Jerrys Brown Gold, driven by Tom Sells, was third.
It was the 41st career win for Four Starz Bling, now showing $485,330 on his card for Ciara Stable of Willowbrook, Illinois.
One of harness racing's most avid supporters in South Florida proved he has considerable ability in the race bike too. John Campaguolo of Loxahatchee, Florida executed a tape measured win right to the final inch in the photo in the Florida Amateur Driving Club (FADC) weekly event.
Campaguolo made an adept three-wide move from third over in the midpoint of the final turn with his trotter Whosover. The photo finish camera would show the margin of victory was a nostril flare over Trotting Colonel, partnered by Joe Pennacchio. S F Shania and Jamie Marra saved third after negotiating traffic.
Tom Bigler took over the training duties a month ago after Campagnuolo made a private purchase of the six-year-old Andover Hall-Vickilou Who horse from Jerry (Buck) Sprinkle late in May.
Earlier in the day on Saturday morning, the second session of two-year-old qualifiers in 2011 was held. From the three races staged, the top performer was two-year-old filly trotter Mica Michelle. The daughter of Feel Like A Winner-Florine B stopped the clock in 2:06 with trainer George Lindsay in the sulky for owner Peter Griffis of Coral Springs, Florida.
Just a single Monday evening program remains on the schedule for live harness racing at The Isle Casino Racing Pompano Park on June 27. For the final month of the current meet in July, post time is 7:05 p.m. Eastern every Wednesday and Saturday with free race night streaming and replays available in the 'racing' tab at www.theislepompanopark.com.
The South Florida venue is also pleased to announce it will be joining the nationwide 'Back To The Track' initiative of the United States Trotting Association, with free programs, food and beverage discounts, and a drawing for a trip to the Little Brown Jug among the special promotions on July 16.
(Pompano Park)