Goldstar Rosie and driver Dan Clements were a neck the best to win the $14,000 Final of the Sunshine State Stakes for two-year-old pacing fillies on Friday at the Isle Pompano Park, and is now just two wins away from a $100,000 bonus cheque.
Bling and driver Mel Turcotte were the first to show speed, with Howards Twister (Joe Pavia, Jr.) leaving from Post 7 to grab the two-hole seat.
But, that was short lived as by the opening quarter mile in :28, Dan Clements had Goldstar Rosie in high gear and taking command of the field. They raced Indian-style to the half-mile pole in :56.2 and that was when the action started to heat up.
Wally Hennessey came first-over with the 4/5 race favourite, Callie Sweetheart, and they started grinding their way towards the leaders, pushing the field to the three-quarters in 1:26.
Then as the field turned for home, it became a two-horse race to the wire as Turcotte and Bling came after Clements and Goldstar Rosie, and after a head-to-head battle down the stretch, 'Rosie' held off Bling to win in a photo finish. Her time of 1:54.4 was a lifetime mark and the fifth win in six career starts. Callies Sweetheart was third.
"What a tight battle down the stretch," said driver Dan Clements. "That's what racing all about. The other filly was so close. They both raced great. And to think three weeks ago my filly nearly died from sickness and now has come back so strong."
Sired by Rock On, Goldstar Rosie is trained by Tom Audley of Bell and was bred and is co-owned by Audley with Jamie Marra of Delray Beach and Beth Levine of Boynton Beach.
Goldstar Rosie, along with Pearl Of Capri and Whosgoinwhosstayin, all must win their respective finals of the Sales Stake and Breeders Stakes to claim the $100,000 bonus offered by the Isle Pompano Park and the Florida Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association.
In the $14,000 Final of the Florida Sunshine State Stakes for three-year-old pacing fillies, Alice Springs and driver Wally Hennessey had little trouble leading from start to finish in the first race. Alice Springs won with ease by three and one-quarter lengths, also setting a lifetime mark in 1:54.4. Allee T (Bruce Ranger) was second with Just Be Original (Anthony Napolitano) third.
It was the fifth straight win for Alice Springs, a daughter of N Aboriginal, who is trained by Tom Harmer and owned by the Ciara Stable of Willowbrook, IL and Michael Polansky of Loudonville, NY. Alice Springs has now won 17 of her 18 career starts. For Hennessey it was one of his four winners on the night!
The final two horses the can remain eligible for the $100,000 bonus, Valentines Gator and Storming Howard, square off Saturday in the $14,000 Final for two-year-old pacing colts and geldings. Storming Howard, despite starting from the far outside in Post 9, is the 5/2 favourite going for his fifth straight win.
(Pompano)