by Frank Salive, publicity director, Isle Pompano Park

Pompano Beach, FL — After a pair of decisions went his way by a scant nose in the Fall Series of the Florida Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association, the luck ran out on Saturday night (Nov. 27) for 2-year-old gelding pacer Diamond Star.

In a $13,300 division of the FSBOA Sale Stake, Diamond Star was defeated by a determined Palm Beach Boy. The loss eliminates Diamond Star from the $100,000 bonus offered to the connections of any 2-year-old able to sweep all four events in the state-bred Fall Series.

Lap Time Photo – Skip Smith

Palm Beach Boy (#3, driver Mike Micallef) upset Diamond Star in the FSBOA Sale Stake at The Isle Casino Racing Pompano Park.

“Palm Beach Boy had license to go out there and upset Diamond Star,” said trainer Jay Sears after the freshman went first over just past the half to collar Diamond Star in late stretch. “I really believe in the Six Of Diamonds breed for the Florida program, and the dam of Palm Beach Boy is Kadijah. She was a really tough open class mare that’s well remembered down here and she earned over $250,000.

“It was only the fourth lifetime start for Palm Beach Boy and we’re fortunate here since the stakes program is late in the year and yet it’s still warm,” Sears added, while noting the temperature was hovering near 80 degrees when the Saturday evening program convened. “A couple of the better colts, Full Of Sand and Chiricahua were not in the Sale Stake tonight but I expect they’ll be back for the Super Final night on December 11.”

Driver Wally Hennessey sent Diamond Star to the front early in the Florida Sale Stake to control the pace to the half in :58.1. Mike Micallef pulled Palm Beach Boy first over as they entered the backstretch for the final time and the third quarter duel was clocked in :28.3 to the third marker in 1:26.4.

In late stretch Palm Beach Boy, a homebred racing from the Kim and Jay Sears barn for owner-breeder Carol Karter of Boynton Beach, Fla., edged by to earn his first lifetime win in 1:56.1. Kurly Howard with Bruce Ranger in the bike was third.

With Diamond Star’s defeat, only 2-year-old trotting filly Seeking Jeanie remains in the hunt for the $100,000 FSBOA bonus. She must still capture the Florida Breeders Championship final on December 11.

In the other division of the Florida Sale Stake for 2-year-old pacing colts and geldings, the quick start to the fall meet continued for owner-trainer Michelle Hallett as Creating A Dream won a four horse scramble to the wire in a 1:55 life’s mark effort.

“We can only thank (driver) Walter Ross, Jr. for this one,” Hallett said in the post-race trackside TV interview. “He laid off the fast pace the other guys were making and he picked them off at just the right time. This kind of win is a bit extra special since we campaigned his dam, Diamondsfrmichelle. Jim McDonald offered us the chance to breed her to Macadream for this program and it’s worked out great.”

An ownership share of Creating A Dream is also held by Michelle Oglesby of Texas.

In this split, Alabama Howard with Bruce Ranger in tow left alertly in :28.1 and yielded briefly to Stevie Ray’s Dream driven by Wally Hennessey. After the half in :56.2 Alabama Howard retook the lead to the third quarter of 1:25 but he could not hold off Creating A Dream who was closing widest. Stevie Ray’s Dream held third and TL Six Shooter was a close fourth with Tom Lehmann handling the lines.

Since the meet began on October 16, trainer Michelle Hallett has now had nine winners from 20 starters in South Florida.

Also on the November 27 card was the $12,000 winners over $10,000 lifetime handicap pace. C A Marauder, in rein to Joshua Sutton, nailed the win in 1:52.1 by a scant nose from a second over trip to catch favored Four Starz Bling driven by Bruce Ranger. Anescape N partnered by Wally Hennessey weaved through traffic for third.

C A Marauder racked up his 14th win in 36 starts this year for Exit 67 Stable of Boynton Beach, Fla. and provided trainer Eric Beach with his second winner on the card.

When racing resumes on Monday evening (Nov. 29), there’s a Pick-4 carryover of over $1,320. Post time Monday evening is 7:05 p.m. (EST) for the 11-race card at The Winter Capital of Harness Racing. The track also offers the free on-track handicapping contest “Last Player Standing” with a $500 top prize each Monday and Saturday evening, with winners also receiving an entry to the $1,000 cash final contest on December 18.