Pompano Beach, FL — Pompano Park’s “Send It In” Sunday (Nov. 18) featured several stakes events, an upset win in the Open Handicap Pace and Florida Hall of Fame horseman Mike Deters achieving two milestones.

Deters, who has overcome a mountain of health issues, reached the top of the mountain on Sunday night, reaching for the first time 100 training wins for the year and $1 million in purse earnings.

Deters’ milestones came in the same race (the fifth) as Gold Star Diablo, trained by Deters for owner Dan Clements, took the Tom Audley Memorial Pace for 3-year-olds, scoring in 1:54.1. The victory was Gold Star Diablo’s fifth straight.

Mike Deters reached 100 training wins for the year and $1 million in purse earnings. Skip Smith photo.

Deters reflected on the double milestone saying, “I’m not really one for words, you know, but I couldn’t and wouldn’t have achieved these milestones without great owners and outstanding help. That’s why we call ourselves ‘Team Deters.’

“And, of course, I am lucky enough to have a wonderful wife and son, who put up with me having to be away for six months of the year. Without their support, I certainly would not have achieved these milestones.

“I always try and get the most out of the potential given me and, this year, that potential of our stable came through. There is a lot of luck in this business — both good and bad — and the good luck certainly outweighed the bad luck this season. I am truly blessed.”

Gold Star Diablo, a gelded son of Mysticism, used a :28.1 closing panel to score over another Deters trainee, Prairie Easter, with Mike himself in the bike. Starcasim, handled by Joe Sanzeri, finished third with Jay Jay and Prairie Foolish next in the field of six. Gold Star Diablo paid $3.20 to win.

The Tom Audley Memorial for sophomore trotters went to Captain Thomas, driven by Wally Hennessey, in 1:59.1. The gelded son of Proud Bushy, trained by Dan Hennessey for owner John Campagnuolo, trounced his rivals by 11-1/2 lengths in scoring his fifth win in seven starts. I Rhoda Daley (Walter Ross Jr.) was second over Jennifer (Mike Simons). Ms Katie B and Brian completed the roster in that event.

The Melvyn Aylor Memorial Events for 2-year-olds were also held on Sunday night with Proud Sophie, Prairie Gem, Mister Marvalous and Natasha all getting pictures taken in the winner’s circle.

Proud Sophie, driven by Jay Sears, took her $14,000 division for fillies, scoring in 2:06.3 over Crown Bushy (Walter Ross Jr.) and Kerry B (Wally Hennessey), sending her earnings over the $40,000 plateau in this non-wagering event.

Prairie Gem, handled by Jim Meittinis, used a :59.1 final half to easily handle Prairie Shibby (Hennessey) and Savin Park (John Campagnuolo) in 2:02.3. Prairie Arrow and McGoldrick were next in that quintet. Prairie Gem, a gelded son of Shibboleth Hanover owned by Laurie Poulin, Fred Morosini, Fritz Racing and trainer Mike Deters, led gate-to-wire for his third win in four career starts.

Mister Marvalous, a gelded son of Delmarvalous, justified his 1-2 toteboard odds with a seemingly effortless win in a lifetime best 1:55.3 for Wally Hennessey, his margin 3-3/4 lengths over Zaza Boy (John MacDonald) and Prairie Midnight (Jim Meittinis) with Gold Star Yoder and JB’s Boomerang also getting checks in this $16,000 event. Trained by Kim Sears for owners Jay Sears and Richard Dunmire, Mister Marvalous won his fifth straight at Pompano Park to send his earnings to $23,807.

Natasha, the gifted daughter of Six Of Diamonds driven by Wally Hennessey for trainer Kim Sears and Jay Sears, made a sharp quarter move to the top after a :27.1 opener by Prairie Westerngal (Jim Meittinis) and proceeded through panels of :56.4 and 1:26.1 before a :28.1 finale sealed the issue. Rockin Ellie (Dave Ingraham) was next, followed ny Priaire Cougar and Caleb’s Diamond T in the field of six. Natasha paid $2.20 to win.

Finally, in a highly anticipated duel between track record holder Panocchio and arch-rival Rebellious, neither wound up in the winner’s circle as Dakota Jack, smartly handled by Mike Simons, out-sprinted both of them to the wire with a :26.4 closing kick to score by a half-length in 1:52. Panocchio (Hennessey) did finish second over Rebellious (Meittinis). Here Comes William was fourth with Prairie Panther fifth in this classy sextet.

The 5-year-old son of Duneside Perch, trained by Jim Brinson for A Piece Of The Action stable, found a seam turning for home, swept widest of all and mowed down his rivals in deep stretch for the win.

After the event, driver Simons said, “When you are in with great horses like that (Panocchio and Rebellious, among others), you just hope for the best. I tried to save ground throughout with my post position (No. 1) and just hoped for the best. When we turned for home, we found a little room and he really was full of pace in the late stages of the mile. Trey (trainer Jim Brinson) said he was very sharp last week when he won but, against these, I was a bit surprised.”

Off as fourth choice at 15-1, Dakota Jack paid $33.40 to win.

Racing continues Monday night with a Super Hi-5 carryover which has ballooned to $20,896.