Rosecroft, Pompano host solid Sunday cards
On the same evening in the which the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers both punched their tickets to Super Bowl 54 in Miani in two weeks, standardbred fans were looking to cash ample tickets at a pair of five-eighths mile ovals that offered varying conditions.
Sunday evening marked the opening night of the Rosecroft Raceway winter-spring meet and owners, trainers, drivers and onlookers were greeted with chilly, windy conditions through 13 races. Roughly 1,000 miles south at Pompano Park in Florida, the pacers and fans had much warmer conditions to view a 10-race card.
In the opening race on the Sunday card at Rosecroft, Skyway Cobra (John Wagner) benefited from an honest early tempo provided by Senor Dinero, Judge Bob and 7-5 choice What That Is, angled out second over behind Headsaregonna Turn down the backside, fanned three-wide and brushed to command late far turn then drew clear in the lane to a three-length score in 1:55.4. A seven-year-old Here Comes Herbie gelding owned and trained by Arlene Cameron, Skyway Cobra notched his first win in two seasonal tries and now owns a 13-10-14 slate and nearly $135,000 banked from 78 career outings.
One race later in a non-winners of $2,500 last four starts class, Mach Deja Vu (Frank Milby) brushed to command before the half in 56.4, met serious pressure from 8-5 choice JW Renegade (John Maackinnon) down the backside and through the far turn, shook off that one then just outlasted the wide, late bid of Rock Icon (Matthew Ahearn) to prevail in 1:55.4. A six-year-old Mach Three gelding trained by Jody Dunning for owner Midred Ventriglio, Mach Deja Vu recorded his first win in two seasonal outings and now owns a 14-11-15 slate and nearly $160,000 banked from 93 career tries.
Three races later in a non-winners of $4,000 last four starts class for pacers, Diamond Cowboy (Russell Foster) left to protyect good position, quarter moved to command, got a breather by the half in 58 flat, met token pressure from Bo Breeze (Jared Moyer) down the backside, shook loose from that one and held safe the late bid of 30-1 Manattack (Brian Burton) for a length score in 1:55.4. An 11-year-old Six Of Diamonds gelding trained by Dunning, Diamond Cowboy notched his first win in two seasonal tries and now owns a stout 47-55-33 slate and over $705,000 banked from 264 career tries.
Then two races later in a non-winners of seven races or $75,000 lifetime class for younger pacers, Lil Johnny (Milby) lived up to his role as the 1-5 favorite when he rallied second over and swept to command on the far turn then held safe the late bid of 60-1 outsider Dancing On A Star (Jackie MacLeod) for a three-length score in 1:54. A seven-year-old Big Bad John gelding owned and trained by Jason Walters, Lil Johnny prevailed handily in his seasonal debut and now owns a 15-12-9 slate and nearly $80,000 banked from 85 career tries.
Then two races in a non-winners of $4,000 last four starts class for pacers, No Concert (Chris Offutt) benefited from live cover from Disturbia (Milby) down the backside and through the far turn, fanned wide for the drive and just nailed his cover late for a neck score in 1;55. A six-year-old No Pan Intended gelding trained and driven by Offutt, No Concert scored in his seasonal debut and now owns a 19-19-15 slate and nearly $85,000 banked from 124 career outings. Disturbia raced well first over in his seasonal debut and looks poised to win next week.
Several races later in the $10,000 Open Handicap for older pacers, Romantic Interest (Milby) easily lived up to his role as the 4-5 choice when he raced parked to gain command in a brisk 25.4 opener, got a breather by the half in 55.2, met token pressure down the4 backside, opened a clear lead on the far turn and held safe Wakizashiu Hanover (Allan Davis) for a three-length score in 1:53. A five-year-old Always A Virgin gelding trained and driven by Milby for his mom, Candy Milby, Romantic Interest notched his first win in three starts this year and now owns 13 wins and over $125,000 banked from 54 career outings and looks poised to successfully defend his title as champion pacer at the five-eighths mile oval.
Then just before the midway point of the Pompano Park card, Mach West (Wally Hennessey) settled into fourth early, brushed to command before the half in 56.3, met token pressure from 7-5 favorite Skyful Of Lighters down the backside, shook loose from that one on the far turn then drew clear in the lane to a three-length score in 1:52.3 as the 5-2 second choice. A four-year-old Mach Three gelding trained by Michael Deters, Mach West tallied easily in his seasonal debut and now a 7-1-3 slate and over $35,000 banked from 27 career outings.
One race later in a non-winners of $2,500 last four starts class for pacers, Andreios Kardia (Hennessey) easily lived up to his role as the 1-5 favorite when he brushed to command before the half in 55.1, rolled by three-quarters in 1:22.4 then romped home five lengths clear in 1:52.3. A nine-year-old Badlands Hanover gelding owned and trained by Jeffrey Byron, Andreios Kardia notched his first win in three seasonal outings and now owns a 41-21-22 slate and nearly $370,000 banked from 165 career outings.
Then one race later in a non-winners of $3,550 last four starts class for pacers, Neptune (Joseph Chindano, Jr.) gained command soon after the start, carved out honest fractions on an uncontested lead then romped home five lengths clear in 1:51.4. An 11-year-old Riverboat King gelding owned, trained and driven by Chindano, Neptune romped home much the best for his first win in two seasonal tries and now owns a 35-24-32 slate and nearly $300,000 banked from 298 career outings and should be able to handle the modest class hike next Sunday.
One race later in the $9,500 Open II Handicap for pacers, American Hustle (Kevin Wallis) overcame post eight to gain command in a 26.4 opener, got s breather to the half in 57.2, met token pressure from Feelin Lika Winner down the backside, shook loose from that one on the far turn then just outlasted the serious late bid of Alluneedisfaith N (Jim Meittinis) for a neck victory in 1:52.4. Winner of the five-eighths Open Dash in his previous outing, American Hustle has won both of his starts this year and now owns 25 wins and just over $220,000 banked from 77 career tries. Alluneedisfaith N rallied late despite the slow tempo and excess cover and should be tough to beat next out in this top class.
Then one race later in another non-winners of $3,500 last four starts class for pacers, Eastender (Rick Plano) lived up to his role as the 4-5 favorite when he brushed to command before the half in 56 flat, maintained a clear lead down the backside and by three-quarters in 1:23.3 then just outlasted the late bid of 2-1 second choice Fritzie Pic Up Man (Hennessey) for a half-length score in 1:52.1. A nine-year-old Cheyenne Rei gelding trained and driven by Plano, Eastender notched his second win in three etarts this year now owns 25 wins and over $90,000 banked from 99 career tries.
Two races later in the Sunday finale, McJagersonthemove (Hennessey) forged a mild 5-1 upset in the tough, non-winners of $6,500 last four starts class for pacers when he gained command in a 27-second opener, carved out even fractions on the front and held safe the late bid of Jeremes General (Fern Paquet, Jr.) for a two-length score in 1:51.4.An eight-year-old McArdle gelding trained by Mario Dessureault, Mcjagersonthemove rebounded from a dull outing as the 6-5 choice one week earlier to record his first win of the campaign and he now owns 23 wins and nearly $175,000 banked from 137 career outings.
Sunday evening marked the opening night of the Rosecroft Raceway winter-spring meet and owners, trainers, drivers and onlookers were greeted with chilly, windy conditions through 13 races. Roughly 1,000 miles south at Pompano Park in Florida, the pacers and fans had much warmer conditions to view a 10-race card.
In the opening race on the Sunday card at Rosecroft, Skyway Cobra (John Wagner) benefited from an honest early tempo provided by Senor Dinero, Judge Bob and 7-5 choice What That Is, angled out second over behind Headsaregonna Turn down the backside, fanned three-wide and brushed to command late far turn then drew clear in the lane to a three-length score in 1:55.4. A seven-year-old Here Comes Herbie gelding owned and trained by Arlene Cameron, Skyway Cobra notched his first win in two seasonal tries and now owns a 13-10-14 slate and nearly $135,000 banked from 78 career outings.
One race later in a non-winners of $2,500 last four starts class, Mach Deja Vu (Frank Milby) brushed to command before the half in 56.4, met serious pressure from 8-5 choice JW Renegade (John Maackinnon) down the backside and through the far turn, shook off that one then just outlasted the wide, late bid of Rock Icon (Matthew Ahearn) to prevail in 1:55.4. A six-year-old Mach Three gelding trained by Jody Dunning for owner Midred Ventriglio, Mach Deja Vu recorded his first win in two seasonal outings and now owns a 14-11-15 slate and nearly $160,000 banked from 93 career tries.
Three races later in a non-winners of $4,000 last four starts class for pacers, Diamond Cowboy (Russell Foster) left to protyect good position, quarter moved to command, got a breather by the half in 58 flat, met token pressure from Bo Breeze (Jared Moyer) down the backside, shook loose from that one and held safe the late bid of 30-1 Manattack (Brian Burton) for a length score in 1:55.4. An 11-year-old Six Of Diamonds gelding trained by Dunning, Diamond Cowboy notched his first win in two seasonal tries and now owns a stout 47-55-33 slate and over $705,000 banked from 264 career tries.
Then two races later in a non-winners of seven races or $75,000 lifetime class for younger pacers, Lil Johnny (Milby) lived up to his role as the 1-5 favorite when he rallied second over and swept to command on the far turn then held safe the late bid of 60-1 outsider Dancing On A Star (Jackie MacLeod) for a three-length score in 1:54. A seven-year-old Big Bad John gelding owned and trained by Jason Walters, Lil Johnny prevailed handily in his seasonal debut and now owns a 15-12-9 slate and nearly $80,000 banked from 85 career tries.
Then two races in a non-winners of $4,000 last four starts class for pacers, No Concert (Chris Offutt) benefited from live cover from Disturbia (Milby) down the backside and through the far turn, fanned wide for the drive and just nailed his cover late for a neck score in 1;55. A six-year-old No Pan Intended gelding trained and driven by Offutt, No Concert scored in his seasonal debut and now owns a 19-19-15 slate and nearly $85,000 banked from 124 career outings. Disturbia raced well first over in his seasonal debut and looks poised to win next week.
Several races later in the $10,000 Open Handicap for older pacers, Romantic Interest (Milby) easily lived up to his role as the 4-5 choice when he raced parked to gain command in a brisk 25.4 opener, got a breather by the half in 55.2, met token pressure down the4 backside, opened a clear lead on the far turn and held safe Wakizashiu Hanover (Allan Davis) for a three-length score in 1:53. A five-year-old Always A Virgin gelding trained and driven by Milby for his mom, Candy Milby, Romantic Interest notched his first win in three starts this year and now owns 13 wins and over $125,000 banked from 54 career outings and looks poised to successfully defend his title as champion pacer at the five-eighths mile oval.
Then just before the midway point of the Pompano Park card, Mach West (Wally Hennessey) settled into fourth early, brushed to command before the half in 56.3, met token pressure from 7-5 favorite Skyful Of Lighters down the backside, shook loose from that one on the far turn then drew clear in the lane to a three-length score in 1:52.3 as the 5-2 second choice. A four-year-old Mach Three gelding trained by Michael Deters, Mach West tallied easily in his seasonal debut and now a 7-1-3 slate and over $35,000 banked from 27 career outings.
One race later in a non-winners of $2,500 last four starts class for pacers, Andreios Kardia (Hennessey) easily lived up to his role as the 1-5 favorite when he brushed to command before the half in 55.1, rolled by three-quarters in 1:22.4 then romped home five lengths clear in 1:52.3. A nine-year-old Badlands Hanover gelding owned and trained by Jeffrey Byron, Andreios Kardia notched his first win in three seasonal outings and now owns a 41-21-22 slate and nearly $370,000 banked from 165 career outings.
Then one race later in a non-winners of $3,550 last four starts class for pacers, Neptune (Joseph Chindano, Jr.) gained command soon after the start, carved out honest fractions on an uncontested lead then romped home five lengths clear in 1:51.4. An 11-year-old Riverboat King gelding owned, trained and driven by Chindano, Neptune romped home much the best for his first win in two seasonal tries and now owns a 35-24-32 slate and nearly $300,000 banked from 298 career outings and should be able to handle the modest class hike next Sunday.
One race later in the $9,500 Open II Handicap for pacers, American Hustle (Kevin Wallis) overcame post eight to gain command in a 26.4 opener, got s breather to the half in 57.2, met token pressure from Feelin Lika Winner down the backside, shook loose from that one on the far turn then just outlasted the serious late bid of Alluneedisfaith N (Jim Meittinis) for a neck victory in 1:52.4. Winner of the five-eighths Open Dash in his previous outing, American Hustle has won both of his starts this year and now owns 25 wins and just over $220,000 banked from 77 career tries. Alluneedisfaith N rallied late despite the slow tempo and excess cover and should be tough to beat next out in this top class.
Then one race later in another non-winners of $3,500 last four starts class for pacers, Eastender (Rick Plano) lived up to his role as the 4-5 favorite when he brushed to command before the half in 56 flat, maintained a clear lead down the backside and by three-quarters in 1:23.3 then just outlasted the late bid of 2-1 second choice Fritzie Pic Up Man (Hennessey) for a half-length score in 1:52.1. A nine-year-old Cheyenne Rei gelding trained and driven by Plano, Eastender notched his second win in three etarts this year now owns 25 wins and over $90,000 banked from 99 career tries.
Two races later in the Sunday finale, McJagersonthemove (Hennessey) forged a mild 5-1 upset in the tough, non-winners of $6,500 last four starts class for pacers when he gained command in a 27-second opener, carved out even fractions on the front and held safe the late bid of Jeremes General (Fern Paquet, Jr.) for a two-length score in 1:51.4.An eight-year-old McArdle gelding trained by Mario Dessureault, Mcjagersonthemove rebounded from a dull outing as the 6-5 choice one week earlier to record his first win of the campaign and he now owns 23 wins and nearly $175,000 banked from 137 career outings.
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