The 2011 July installment of the Sunshine State Stakes at The Isle Casino Racing Pompano Park is proving to be a showcase of emerging standout performers from the Tom Audley and Kim Sears stables
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The Saturday, July 23 card was dominated by the second leg pacing events for purses ranging from $5,300 to $7,500 in the first of five stakes series this year being staged by the Florida Standardbred Breeders And Owners Association in the $1 million plus state bred program.
Gold Star Spike has emerged as a standout in the two-year-old colt and gelding pace division with his second straight win in as many lifetime appearances. The freshman son of Rock On-Onora paced to a flawless front end score in 1:56.4 with Gaston Lareau in tow. Trainer Tom Audley co-owns the promising newcomer and shares the breeding credit with Jamie Marra of Delray Beach, Florida.
The Audley outfit also sent out three-year-old pacing filly Gold Star Glitter for a life's mark spin in 1:53.2. The daughter of Squaws Fella-Squisita was driven by Wally Hennessey to handily defeat Ruby Howard in rein to Walter Ross Jr. Gold Star Glitter, the 2010 Florida two-year-old pacing filly champion has pushed her career bankroll to more than $75,000.
The Kim and Jay Sears Stable also sent out two winners in the second leg of the Sunshine State Stakes. Diamond Cowboy had a final quarter of :28 seconds in reserve to convert a pocket trip into a 1:55.3 maiden-breaking score with Wally Hennessey in the bike for owners Penny and Bill Kelley of Fellsmere, Florida in the two-year-old colt and gelding pace division. The Sears barn also has a new recruit in two-year-old pacing filly Cracker Coffee, and the daughter of Six Of Diamonds-Nasty As Can Be was a strong front end winner in 1:57.4 with Wally Hennessey in the bike for owner Phil Peavyhouse of South Lyon, Michigan.
In the coming week, the trotting finals for July's Sunshine State Stakes will be contested on July 27 and the pacing finals will be held on July 30.
Also on Saturday night in South Florida under a perfect 86 degree setting, Rockincam partnered by Jason Dillander dominated the $14,000 purse top pace in 1:52.1. Warren Harp trains the four-year-old Cambest-Migraine pacer for Stephen Farrell of Ocala, Florida.
In the $12,000 purse trotting feature, Stephane Bardier sent Keystone Thomas down the road in 1:54.2. Stewart Nemiro of the Bruce Ranger Stable trains Keystone Thomas for owner Fred Monteleone of Pompano Beach, Florida.
(Pompano Park)