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Florida-breds shine at Pompano
Thursday, November 12, 2009 - by Frank Salive, for Pompano Park

Pompano Beach, FL --- A big night for the state-bred program provided numerous highlights, as over $111,000 in purses was awarded over five races staged in the Florida Stallion Stakes and late-closer Hurricane Stakes at The Isle Pompano Park on Wednesday evening, Nov. 11.

The marquee matchup of the night was in the $17,500 Hurricane Stakes for 3-year-old filly trotters. BK's Luv raced first over for the final five-eighths of the mile and finally ended the five-race win streak of Pearl Of Capri, in 1:59.4. Tom Sells pulled the daughter of Anythings Possible--Luv To Trot to the outside at the wire the first time after a relaxed start, and the rest of the mile was great theatre as the division's top pair went toe to toe the rest of the way before BK's Luv took a narrow decision for her seventh win in 15 starts this year.

There were a pair of $22,388 divisions of the Florida Stallion Stakes for 2-year-old filly trotters. In the first split, Pocohontas Fame returned to form in a big way after a pair of off-stride outings to take a life's mark of 2:00.

"The first order of business was a safe start and she sat in the three hole and relaxed for me really well until we started into the final turn," driver Wally Hennessey said. "That was a race I think she can keep going forward from."

The daughter of Famously--Native Pine competes from the care of Bob Roberts for Amante Standardbreds of Delray Beach, Fla., and this was her seventh win in 10 rookie season starts. Prairie Treasure was second, in rein to Ray Vizzi, with Tabatha and Kevin Wallis following home, third.

In the second division for 2-year-old filly trotters, Your Not My Friend was brilliant in victory again, bringing a huge smile to the face of owner-trainer Bob Williams, Jr. of Bell, Fla. after her effortless-looking romp, in 2:02.1.

"Really, I couldn't ask for anything more from her. Everything has gone exactly on game plan since her first start," Williams said in his live post-race TV interview. "Two starts ago she showed me a lot when she had post nine got by breaking fillies in front of her in the first turn. I'd stepped aside to use Mickey McNichol to drive her and she was just like a veteran.

“She was just as handy again tonight too sitting in a hole until well into the final half when Mickey pushed the button for her to go and she was just great. The way she's so handy is giving me a lot of hope she'll be in for a good 3-year-old season in 2010, as well," Williams said of his Famously--She's A Loan miss.

In this event, Pretty Girl, with Kevin Wallis up, was second and Captain Daves Girl, partnered by Tom Sells, was third.

The top purse event of the event was the $33,424 purse Florida Stallion Stakes for 2-year-old colt and gelding trotters. When the heavily favored Be Famous with Bruce Ranger could not find his stride, Im Possible seized the situation to front end his way to a 17-1 upset, in 2:03.1, for Fred Morosini of Deerfield Beach, Fla.

Mel Turcotte is co-owner, trainer and driver of the Anythings Possible--R Nonie colt, who captured his first win in six career starts. Promising Venture with Wally Hennessey and I'll Muscle Y'all with Matt Kakaley rounded-out the top three.

Fern Paquet, Jr. topped all drivers with the hat trick on Wednesday evening, which included a sharp, 1:56.3 score by the veteran trotting mare Slated For Success in a $5,000 conditioned test. Two of Paquet's winners on the card were trained by Jamie Paquet, including the trotting victory for the S J's Photo--Keystone Caviar mare owned by Tony Tambolleo.

On Friday evening the Florida Stallion Stakes and the Hurricane Stakes will continue, in addition to the weekly $13,000 Mares Open Handicap pace.

Post time is 7:05 p.m., eastern at The Isle Pompano Park each Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday evening in November. Tuesday programs will be added to that schedule for five live cards per week in the December through March period at “the Winter Capital of Harness Racing.”


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The stallions underlined in each article are part of STARS, the USTA's online stallion guide.
The driver and trainer names underlined in each article are part of our Fan Guide. Click on the name to view a profile.