by John Berry, for Pompano Park

Pompano Beach, FL — Richard Silverman’s Cashahallic, confidently driven by Aaron Byron, took advantage of an early miscue by the favorite, Its Payday Friday, to score a near gate-to-wire victory in Pompano Park’s $12,000 Open Handicap Trot on Tuesday night (Jan. 5).

The 8-year-old altered son of Cash Hall pinned a defeat measuring 2-3/4 lengths on Sailer Eddie, with Kevin Wallis handling the lines, while Diamond Dagger, pressing the pace during the middle portions of the mile, was third for Mark O’Mara. Verdi finished fourth after a double-bubble move heading into second around the final turn while Winding Hill finished fifth, but was eventually placed back a notch while on a break in close quarters late, enabling My Revenuer to pick up the minors.

Skip Smith photo

Cashahallic pulled off a minor upset in Pompano’s $12,000 Open Handicap Trot on Tuesday night.

When the Hummer skipped away, Cashahallic (post six) left sharply along with Diamond Dagger (post five) and Sailer Eddie (post two) with Cashahallic winning the early war and taking the field through an opening panel in a moderate :28.4. As Diamond Dagger charged up during the second panel, the pace quickened to the half in :56.4 with Cashahallic not letting Diamond Dagger closer than a length back.

On the backside, Wally Hennessey sent Verdi wheeling three deep but he, too, could get not dent any ground on Cashahallic as the timer at the third station read 1:25.4. In the lane, the leader kept stretching his margin to the wire in what turned out to be a handy win timed in 1:55.2.

After the race, driver Aaron Byron said, “I know Richie’s horse has been very good and I figured I’d better at least give it a go at the start and maybe take a seat back of Dan’s horse (Its Payday Friday).

“When he made that break, it, of course, enhanced my chances and the early pace wasn’t that hot. When Mark’s horse (Diamond Dagger) wasn’t gaining and Wally’s (Verdi) wasn’t getting any close around the last turn, I felt very confident I could get home safely.”

The win for Casahallic — his 24th lifetime — pushed his career bounty just shy of $300,000 — $299,320 lifetime. As third choice in the wagering, Cashahallic rewarded his faithful with a $9.00 mutuel.

In the supporting $9,500 non-winners/optional claiming ($20,000) trot, Rainbow Gold, handled by Steve Condren, relished the class drop from the Open ranks and scored a very handy win measuring 4-1/4 lengths in 1:55.4, a new lifetime mark. Trained by Ashley Duford for owner Dennis Duford, Rainbow Gold, a 9-year-old gelded son of Thunder Road, led every stride of the mile off of fractions of :28.2, :57.3 and 1:27.2 before the :28.2 sprint home. Tater Twister (Kevin Wallis) finished second while I’ll Tell You What (Brad Kramer) finished third. Gold Savage finished fourth while M C Felix picked up the nickel.

Rainbow Gold now shows an impressive 34-21-19 scorecard in 137 career starts, good for $181,267. As the 3-5 toteboard favorite, Rainbow Gold paid $3.40 to win.

Finally, She’s All In, Rick Plano’s rugged 7-year-old daughter of Revenue S, got picture perfect handling from her owner-trainer-driver to score her 25th lifetime victory — this one timed in 1:55 — over Explosive Muscles (Kevin Wallis), the winning margin being 3-1/4 lengths. McKenzie’s Star (Fern Paquet Jr.) finished third, nine lengths away, and a photo finish better than Hall Pass Helen and Highland Yankee, fourth and fifth, respectively, in the field of 10.

She’s All In has lifetime earnings of $220,783 to go along with her mark of 1:54.1 established at Pompano Park four seasons ago. As the 1-2 favorite, She’s All In Paid $3.00 to her multitude of backers.

Racing continues Wednesday night at Pompano Park with post time set at 7:30 p.m.