by Michael Costanzo, public relations coordinator, Pompano Park

Pompano Beach, FL — Female pacers are showcased at Pompano Park on Friday (July 27) as the second round of the Sunshine State Stakes continues with a trio of non-wagering races, headlined by the juvenile filly Alice Springs, who looks to remain undefeated in the evening’s opening event.

Owned by Ciara Stable and Michael Polansky, Alice Springs exits a victory in the opening round of the Sunshine State Stakes where the daughter of N Aboriginal prevailed by a half-length over Allee T while covering the mile in 1:57.2, with a final quarter that went in :27.4.

Prior to that winning performance, the Tom Harmer trainee completed a two-race sweep of the Seminole Series for Florida-bred 2-year-old filly pacers when taking the $21,150 final in 1:56.3, also pacing the last panel in :27.4.

Alice Springs has drawn post five for Friday’s pace and will be driven by Wally Hennessey.

Allee T, who has finished second to Alice Springs in each of her three career starts, will take another shot at taking down the divisional leader when starting from post one in Friday’s second round of the Sunshine State Stakes.

Trained by Jay Sears, who co-owns the filly with John Campagnuolo, Anthony Andretta, and Dianne Mouw, the daughter of Raging Glory will be driven from the rail by Bruce Ranger.

Two divisions of the Sunshine State Stakes for 3-year-old pacing fillies are scheduled for Friday, with the first division featuring a match up between opening round winner Sunshine Cindy and recent second-place finisher High Cotton.

The second division for the sophomore set casts the spotlight upon the top two juvenile pacing fillies of 2006, Leavembehind, who prevailed in last week’s opening round in 1:54.4, and Lucy Lucy, a winner of $40,423 last year.

First post for Friday’s three non-wagering Sunshine State Stakes is 6:40 p.m. The 12-race pari-mutuel program begins at 7:25 p.m.

Velvet Eileen streaks into Friday feature

Rod Lorenzo, Ciro Gentile, and Pomtambo Stable’s Velvet Eileen will look to extend her winning streak to four on Friday when returning from a short break to start in the featured $15,500 Fillies and Mares Winners Over Handicap Pace.

Trained by Michile Lorenzo, Velvet Eileen prevailed by a neck in her most recent outing, stopping the timer in 1:54.1 on July 13. The daughter of Mark Johnathan has visited the winner’s circle in five of seven starts this year, including a lifetime best mile in 1:52 on April 13.

Velvet Eileen will start from post five in the Friday feature and will be driven by Wally Hennessey.

My Metallica, who in the absence of Velvet Eileen prevailed in last week’s female pacing feature in 1:52.4, seeks her second straight victory when starting from post five for the ownership of Ciara Stable, Michael Polansky, and William Johnston III.

The daughter of Party At Artsplace is a four-time winner this year, and has finished no worse than third in each of her last 11 starts. Tom Sells has the driving assignment on Friday.