by John Berry, for Pompano Park

Pompano Beach, FL — Northern Companion, making his final start of the Pompano meeting before heading northward, paced his final three-quarters in 1:22.2 and rolled by the entire field in the stretch to score a decisive win for driver Rob Hoffman in 1:51.1 in Pompano Park’s top pace on Saturday night (April 13).

Skip Smith photo

Northern Companion captured Pompano’s featured pace in 1:51.1.

The 5-year-old son of Cambest, trained by Howard Klohr for owner Dorothy Zarza, defeated McGreat, handled by Kevin Wallis, by three-quarters of a length with Talk To Tony and Wally Hennessey teaming up for third. Atta Boy Dan and Avantage picked up the final two checks with the two favorites, McSocks (off at 3-2) and Cruizin K C (5-2 on the toteboard) finishing sixth and seventh, respectively.

It was McSocks out quickest of all for Bruce Ranger, taking the field to the opener in :27.1 with Talk To Tony and Avantage next. But right at the opening station, driver Mark O’Mara had Cruizin K C on a speed binge from sixth and they were clear at the half in :55.3.

On the backside, Atta Boy Dan, with Walter Ross, Jr. handling the lines, made his bid, put pressure on the leader, and actually poked a neck in front just short of station three, timed in 1:22.4.

Meanwhile, Talk To Tony was mounting a bid on the outside, McGreat was charging on a double-bubble move and Northern Companion was way out in the center of the track while making his characteristic sweeping move, taking charge just inside the sixteenth pole and drawing away at the end.

Driver Rob Hoffman, in a post-race interview, said, “Buddy (Northern Companion) had been having a few health issues over the past month or so but he sure felt like he wanted some racetrack to roll tonight. When I saw Cruizin K C make that early move, I thought the fractions would set up favorably for my horse and it worked out just that way. I don’t know exactly what my horse paced his last half in (it was about :54) but he sure was rockin’.”

For Northern Companion, it was his fifth win of the year in 10 starts, pushing his seasonal bankroll to $26,825. He’s banked $128,252 lifetime.

In the co-featured pace, Bombilla Hanover, driven by Bruce Ranger, was on her game and posted a very sharp 1:52 victory over the boys. Her winning margin was a length over a game Cascata (Dave Ingraham) and fast closing Rick’s Sign (Kevin Wallis).

The 5-year-old daughter of The Panderosa, owned by Lewis Whitaker, Rick Berks and trainer Peter Blood, was unhurried at the start but ready to roll short of the opening quarter (:27.1) and assumed command after three-eighths and carded panels of :55.2 and 1:23.1 en route to winner’s circle.

Trainer Peter Blood said, “She has a tendency to fight you if you don’t let her do it her way; that’s why she made that break last week, but, as Bruce says, ‘she drives him!’”

Ranger agreed, saying he just let the mare, “play her own game tonight.”

Bombilla Hanover is six for 10 this year, good for $24,250. She’s banked $146,628 lifetime.