The 2011 stakes racing season in Florida got off to a flying start on the Wednesday, July 13 program at The Isle Casino Racing Pompano Park
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Whether Famous Hall can achieve fame outside the Sunshine Stake to the extent that other state-bred champions such as Red Bow Tie and Raging Glory did remains to be seen. However, the three-year-colt trotter proved again he is the hottest thing on four legs so far this year in the Florida Standardbred Breeders And Owners Association (FSBOA) program, featuring $1 million in purses through Super Night this fall.
Famous Hall easily handled his foes in a $5,706 purse opening leg division of the Sunshine State Stakes. Wally Hennessey was in the bike as the three-year-old son of Famously-Hall Of Stars front stepped his way to a 1:59.3 score. In preparation for the FSBOA program, Famous Hall had already defeated older rivals and taken a life's mark of 1:57.2. Marc Aubin conditions the career winner of just over $70,000 for Amante Standardbreds of Delray Beach, Florida.
In the other division, HP Maximus was flawless in a 2:01.3 tour. Trainer Mario Desserault was in the bike behind the Feel Like A Winner-H P Espoir gelding for Fred Monteleone Stable of Pompano Beach, Florida.
In the $7,500 purse opening leg of the Sunshine State Stakes for three-year-old filly trotters, the main storyline was what kind of game Seeking Jeanie would bring to the track for her first pari-mutuel start of the year. She answered the bell in a big way with a 2:01 front end score in rein to Wally Hennessey to remain undefeated in nine lifetime appearances. Malibu Beach with Walter Ross Jr. in tow followed from the pocket for second and Little Peanut overcame a Post 9 start with two strong moves to finish third. Dan Hennessey trains Seeking Jeanie for owner Arthur Mergenhagen of Williston, Florida.
In first leg action of the Sunshine State Stakes for the two-year-old filly trotters, Peace Please kicked out a final quarter of :29.4 to win her $5,875 split in 2:05.3 with Tom Sells in the bike. Jim McDonald is training the CR Kinetic-Iam Worthy Too filly for owner Rod Allen of Ocala, Florida.
A single division was staged for the rookie colt and gelding trotters for a $7,481 purse, and Matcan turned in a dominant 2:06 win partnered by Tom Sells. Stewart Nemiro of the Bruce Ranger Stable trains the Matchem Hanover-Cans Money Maker colt for Fred Monteleone Stable of Pompano Beach, Florida.
All of the stops are being pulled out for the Saturday evening, July 16 program in South Florida as The Isle Casino Racing Pompano Park gears up to take part in the "Back To The Track" national initiative of the United States Trotting Association.
"To take the excitement to a new level we've carded a couple of exotic distance races on Saturday, which will start and finish at the wire, right in front of the fans," said Steve Carpenito, Pompano's Assistant Race Secretary, handicapping commentator and author of the weekly 'Carpe Diem' column on www.ustrotting.com. "Since we are a five-eighths mile track, fans don't normally see the start and finish in the same place and we thought this would be an exciting and interesting variation."
Carpenito will also conduct a handicapping seminar and a backstretch VIP tour. The evening will also feature Sonny, the handicapping miniature horse, discounted beverages at the trackside Finish Line bar, winner's circle interactive games with trackside reporter Gigi Diaz, free race programs, and a handicapping contest featuring a top prize of a trip for two to The Little Brown Jug.
(Pompano Park)