by John Berry, for Pompano Park

Pompano Beach, FL — Zeitgeist, handled by owner Dein Spriggs, claimed the second leg of the Florida Amateur Driving Club Late Closing event at Pompano Park on Saturday night (Dec. 26), stopping the timer in 1:58.4.

Skip Smith photo

Zeitgeist, driven by Dein Spriggs, took top honors in the second leg of the Florida Amateur Driving Club Late Closer at Pompano Park.

The 8-year-old gelded son of SJ’s Caviar, trained by Allen Saul, came from well off the pace to post the victory measuring 1-3/4 lengths over stablemate Good Feeling, also owned by Spriggs, catch-driven this night by John Campagnuolo. Tymal Recap, far back early on, got up for third with Jeff Schaefer in the bike while Play Fair, handled by Hannah Miller from the second tier 10 post, was next. The pacesetting Rel Cash Clown finished fifth for Tommy Santeramo after taking the lead past the opening panel and leading until they turned for home.

It was Leonardo on the engine when the gate opened with Leon Cable steering that one through an opening quarter in :28 before yielding to Rel Cash Clown, breaking the half-mile beam in a hot :56.4.

On the backside, Good Feeling, away comfortably in third, marched up first over to engage the leader as the quick pace began to take its toll on the leader. Zeitgeist, meanwhile, got the perfect second over journey and pushed his way into striking distance past the third station in 1:28.3.

In the lane, Good Feeling took command — but not for long as Zeitgeist had that one measured at mid-stretch and then drew away late.

In a post-race interview, driver Dein Spriggs said, “Obviously, the quick pace helped us in a big way and when Campy (driver John Campagnuolo) pulled on the backside, I just followed him. Zeitgeist just keeps trying all the time until he gets the job done. Doesn’t matter if it’s a 2:00 mile or a 1:58 mile, he finds a way to get there.”

For Zeitgeist, it was victory number nine this year, sending his seasonal bounty to $31,223 and $114,583 lifetime. Zeitgeist paid $3.00 to win as the popular 1-2 favorite.

Spriggs notched his 27th victory of the year in just 82 starts with his 27-14-11 scorecard tallying a lofty .465 UDR average.

The regular Florida Amateur Driving Club trot went to P L Humanity, driven by owner-trainer Dennis Whittemore.

This 4-year-old altered son of Striking Sahbra overcame a slight bobble prior to the start to post a near gate-to-wire, one length win in 1:59.2, pinning the defeat on Kickoff Hanover, with Jamie Macomber driving. Sharpshootennorris was third for Leon Cable while Certain Potential rallied for fourth under the guidance of “Touchdown” Teddy Bowman. Current Image, with Joe Pennacchio in the bike, finished fifth in the field of nine.

In the process, P L Humanity stretched his winning streak to two to send his 2015 earnings to $21,400. As the 9-5 favorite, P L Humanity paid $5.80 to win.

Racing continues on Sunday night with the highlight being the $17,700 Powerline Pace for claiming horses and geldings. In that event, first leg winner Long Term (3-1) locks horns with second leg winner Trevor Win For Us (7-2) with stiff opposition expected from Oh My Joepa (4-1), Lyons Josephjnr (9-2) and J M Jet Set (6-1), among others. Post time is 7:30 p.m.