When you’re looking to handicap a big race, there’s nothing better than to have comments from some of the connections of the horses that are set to slug it out. In terms of this Saturday’s late-closing final at Pompano Park, connections of all of the field's nine starters have chimed in.
The $75,000 late-closing final in question, which is for mares, has been carded as Race 8 on Pompano’s Saturday card. The dash has an estimated post time of 9:36 p.m.
The connections’ comments appear below (please note that #6, Mach It A Par, who was scheduled to be driven by Tim Tetrick, has been scratched due to illness).
Post #1, Strut My Stuff (12/1), Driver Matt Romano: "She actually raced very well last week. Yes, Mike's mare (Just A Bee) picked up the pieces late, but we were just a length or so away from second. We drew well – and that helps in an event like this – and I expect her to bring her 'A' game and be aggressive leaving."
Post #2, Totally Rusty (10/1), Driver Tom Jackson: "She cut some serious fractions in her last and they got to her late. Still she is a very sharp mare and, if she returns to the form when she won the first leg three weeks ago, she'll be prominent."
Post #3, Lucys Pearl (8/1), Driver David Miller: "I have never driven this mare before but have seen her race many times. She's very talented and has a nice brush. If the fractions are right, she could be right there at the finish with them all. I expect the mile to go in (1):50 and a piece and she's capable of that. Of course, so are the others! It should be very interesting."
Post #4, Pertty Music (15/1), Driver Kevin Wallis: “Hopefully, she'll get a better trip than last week when she never saw the inside part of the racetrack. She can turn it on in the lane, especially off of an easier trip if we find some room in the stretch. She drew OK with a lot of great mares to her outside. That always helps!"
Post #5, Velocity Vespa (5/2), Trainer Chris Oakes: “She was roughed up pretty much last week, but came out of it just fine. She does her best going down the highway and I am quite sure George (driver Napolitano, Jr.) will be sending her from this post. Just about all these great mares have a mark around (1):50 so I think it will take a mile right around there to get it done – maybe 1:50.2!"
Head #7-Post #6, Show Runner (15/1), Driver-Trainer Tim Maier: “Never really got into the hunt from the second tier 11 post in last. Usually likes to be in the thick of the action from the get-go.”
Head #8-Post #7, Just A Bee (7/2), Driver-Trainer Mike Micallef: "She was able to pick up the pieces with that torrid early pace in last and, when I gave her the racetrack, she just took off. The start might be the key here. I have two plans – ‘A' and 'B.' It's a split second decision at the start whether to leave and look for a better early spot – plan 'A' or, if there is a lot going on from the inside, take back and hope the pace is like last week-plan 'B.' There is no plan 'C.' This mare has been very good for a long time. I will have her really to rock and roll early, if that's the way I see it going!"
Head #9-Post #8, Godiva Seelster (6/1), Driver Wally Hennessey: "This is a scary talented bunch of mares and, I might add, drivers, too. We got the worst of the draw but my mare is coming into the race in great shape. She's been competitive for over three years now and I expect her to be competitive on Saturday night."
Other features on the Saturday night card include the $30,000 Invitational Handicap Trot, the $20,000 Open Handicap Pace and the Florida Amateur Club Pro-Am with Tim Tetrick and David Miller serving as captains of the respective teams. With the competition based on a point schedule, the ‘winning’ team’s charity will receive $3,000 with the ‘losing’ team's charity receiving $2,000 from the Florida Amateur Driving Club.
New Vocation and the Make-A-Wish Foundation are the beneficiaries for Saturday night's Pro-Am event.
A book signing featuring noted authors Victoria Howard and Bob Marx will take place near the winner's circle, as the pair autograph their newly published book ‘Meadow Skipper – The Untold Story.’
First-race post time for the card is 7:30 p.m.
(With files from Pompano)