Both Callies Sweetheart and Goldstar Rosie need to win in the $14,000 final of the Sunshine State Stakes for two-year-old pacing fillies Friday at Pompano Park because there is a $100,000 bonus riding on the winner.
If either of these fillies can win the third race feature they can advance towards earning the $100,000 bonus offered by Pompano and the Florida Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association to any Florida-sired two-year-old that can win all four Sire Stakes finals.
Callies Sweetheart is the 5-2 morning line favourite and starts from Post 3. The filly was purchased just last week from owner/breeder Melvyn Aylor for an undisclosed sum by trainer Tom Harmer for his Ciara Stable and co-owner Michael Polansky.
Callies Sweetheart has three wins this year, including a $23,000 division of the Stallion Stakes and last week scored a lifetime mark of 1:56.4. She will be driven for the first time by Wally Hennessey.
Goldstar Rosie is the 3-1 second choice from Post 5 for driver Dan Clements. The early season sensation was undefeated after four starts until last week when she finished third by only a neck in a division of the Sunshine State Stakes series. She also won a division of the Stallion Stakes in 1:57.4 and back in July won the $21,300 final of the Orange Blossom Series.
But it won't be a walk in the park for either filly as they face a stellar field of six rivals, most of whom can upset the applecart.
Beforehand, in the first race, the $14,000 Sunshine State Stakes final for three-year-old pacing fillies, Alice Springs goes for her fifth straight win. She has won 16 of her 17 career starts and thus has been barred from wagering and is in the race to compete for the purse only. She starts from Post 4 for driver Wally Hennessey. The 6-5 favourite in the race is Allee T from Post 3 who has been second to Alice Springs five times this year.
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(With files from Pompano)