by John Berry, for Pompano Park

Pompano Beach, FL — Its Payday Friday, returning to the racing wars after a six month layoff due to a broken splint bone, put in a startling performance on Tuesday night (Dec. 29) at Pompano Park as the 5-year-old son of Kadabra led at every marker and stopped the timer in 1:53.4 in the $11,500 Open Handicap Trot.

Driven by owner Dan Clements, Its Payday Friday was involved in a serious conflict early on as Auspicious Hanover, handled by Kevin Wallis and starting from the outside seven post — one slot out from Its Payday Friday — were both stubborn and intent on the lead.

But Clements won that conflict by stuffing his main rival in the pocket, going on to record fractions of :27.1, :56.1 and 1:24.3 en route to victory, holding off Auspicious Hanover, slipping through along the pylons, and Mr Revenuer on the outside to secure the win measuring a half-length. Verdi finished fourth in the mile while Rainbow Gold picked up the nickel in the sextet.

In a post race interview, Clements had high praise for his trotter, along with trainer Renaldo Morales III, saying, “You know, both Kevin (Wallis with Auspicious Hanover) and I left out of there and I would have gladly taken the two hole but my horse was just too stubborn tonight. He wanted to race and when a horse feel that good, I don’t think it’s a good idea to shut them down.

“About the half, I just gave up trying to rate him and I just let him do his thing. I was just the passenger going along for the ride.

“He’s got an attitude, this horse does, and that’s why (trainer) Ronnie Morales is so valuable. He’s the one who deals with his attitude. He jogs him every day and deals with that attitude. He does a great job with him. I think he (Renaldo) was more excited than anybody. He was ‘high-fivin’ in the winner’s circle and everything.

“I am blessed to have him in the stable.”

For Its Payday Friday, it was his sixth win of the year in 19 starts with this “payday” sending his seasonal bounty to $54,956 and $237,589 lifetime. As the 8-1 third choice, Its Payday Friday rewarded his faithful with a $19.20 dividend on their $2 investment.

Also on Tuesday, Sailer Eddie ($5.40) and Kevin Wallis teamed up to score a 1:53.4 win over Winding Hill and Adenium in the $9,500 conditioned event, sending this 5-year-old’s lifetime bounty to $287,245.

Yet another highlight was the performance of the claiming pacer Cherokee Ranger, handled this night by Dan Clements. This 4-year-old son of Palone Ranger, recently claimed by Francis Tambolleo for owner Lesbia Luz Perez de Luna, has been moving up the claiming ladder and did so again on Tuesday night by winning his sixth straight — this one in 1:52.4.

Cherokee Ranger ($4.60) won for the 12th time this year and moving up the ladder from the $4,000 claiming ranks has banked $33,303 in this, his most successful season at the races.

Finally, when Rick Plano scored in the finale with Donna Riedel’s Put It In Gear, one lucky bettor took home the Super Hi-5 jackpot of $25,025.92 — that payoff for the 20-cent winning combination of 5-2-1-8-7.