by Michael Costanzo, public relations coordinator, Pompano Park

Pompano Beach, FL — After prevailing just twice in his first 15 outings of the year, Paper Luck visited the winner’s circle for the fourth time in his last five starts on Saturday (June 16) when taking the featured $15,500 Winners Over Handicap Pace at Pompano Park in a seasonal best clocking of 1:51.

Lap Time Photo – Skip Smith

Paper Luck (#3) surges past Copper Color (#2) and Welu’s Dreamboat (#1) to take the featured $15,500 Winners Over Handicap Pace at Pompano Park.

Driven from post three by his trainer Bruce Ranger, Paper Luck was content to track the leaders from fourth place as Welu’s Dreamboat (Anthony Napolitano) dueled aggressively with Hearty Fellow (Mickey McNichol) through swift opening fractions that went in :26.2 and :54.3.

As the compact field of pacers moved down the backstretch, race favorite Copper Color (Wally Hennessey) was the first to attack from the outside, providing cover for Paper Luck, who quickly moved into contention while racing second-over.

Welu’s Dreamboat passed the three-quarter marker in 1:23 and entered the lane with a one length advantage, but the gelding was quickly engaged by Copper Color, who briefly took the lead in mid-stretch before yielding late to a strong charge down the middle of the track by Paper Luck.

Paper Luck, who prevailed by a neck, returned $10.40, $3.60 for the victory, while Copper Color brought in $3.60 for second. There was no show wagering available on the race.

Owned by the Fred Monteleone Stable LLC of Pompano Beach, Paper Luck has now prevailed in six of 20 starts this year, with seasonal earnings over the $45,000 mark.

Paper Luck’s triumph was the second of the evening for Ranger, who would visit the winner’s circle five times on the 10-race Saturday program.

In addition to his victory in the feature, Ranger captured the evening’s second race with Hamilton ($2.80), the fifth event with Paper Exchange ($4.40), race seven with Armbro Aviator ($4.00), and closed out his night with a victory behind Titanium Driver N ($5.00) in race eight.