by Michael Costanzo, public relations coordinator, Pompano Park

Pompano Beach, FL — Prairie Tracker visited the Pompano Park winner’s circle for the second time in her last three starts on Friday (November 9) when prevailing in the featured $14,000 Fillies and Mares Open Handicap Pace at the South Florida oval in 1:53.2.

Lap Time Photo – Skip Smith

Prairie Tracker captured Friday’s $14,000 Fillies and Mares Open Handicap Pace.

Driven from post three by Brad Hanners, Prairie Tracker was quick off the gate in the Friday feature but was content to settle in the pocket as Tintabella N (Daryl Bier) rushed up from the outside to take the early lead through an opening quarter in :27.3.

As the field moved by the grandstand for the first time, Tintabella N made a break, allowing Prairie Tracker to inherit the top spot, where the 4-year-old mare remained unchallenged through middle fractions of :57.2 and 1:24.4.

The daughter of Presidential Ball entered the stretch with a 1-1/2 length advantage, and was never truly threatened down the lane, coasting through the wire to post a 1-1/4 length victory.

Prairie Tracker returned $9.40, $8.00 and $4.00 for the win. Townline Lily (Bruce Ranger) returned $4.60 and $3.00 for second, while Hypnotize (Kevin Wallis) paid $3.40 for third.

Owned by Andrew Sassen of Coral Springs, and trained by Fred Cohen, Prairie Tracker has gotten her picture taken in seven of 37 starts this year, and owns a seasonal bankroll of $65,412, with lifetime earnings of $197,095.

Ranger nearing milestone

With his victory behind Modern Marvel ($2.60) in Friday’s sixth race trot from Pompano, Bruce Ranger is now 10 victories shy of becoming the 21st driver to reach the 7,000-win plateau.

Ranger, who is the all-time leading driver at Pompano Park and owns the track record for wins in a day with nine, will have nine drives on the Saturday program, which he enters with 6,990 career victories. Post time for the 10-race card is 7:25 p.m.