by John Berry, for F.S.B.O.A and Pompano Park

Pompano Beach, FL — Two-year-old Florida breds will be in the spotlight on Sunday (Nov. 20) as Pompano Park presents four Florida Standardbred Breeders & Owners Association (F.S.B.O.A.) sponsored stakes events honoring the memory of the late Melvyn Aylor.

Aylor died in 2009 as the result of a training accident suffered earlier in that year. He was a highly revered veterinarian with strong ties to Florida’s racing scene as a breeder/owner/trainer/driver.

The Aylor Memorial for 2-year-old trotting colts and geldings renews the archrivalry of Azzaro and I’m Done, the only two combatants entered in this event with a purse of $14,450. This contest and two other Ayler Memorial races will take place as non-wagering events beginning at 6:00 p.m.

I’m Done (Toro Bravo-Benjoy), now trained by Jim McDonald for owner Troy Basista, edged by Azzaro in their last meeting and now sports a 3-4-0 scorecard in seven starts, good for $27,821.

Azzaro (Proud Bushy-Bluff Springs), owned by Jay Sears along with trainer/wife Kim Sears, has a slight edge in victories against I’m Done and his 4-3-0 record shows $24,615 in bounty.

The $14,800 Aylor for juvenile trotting fillies features a quartet of youngsters, including Famous C and Prairie Pixie.

Famous C (Famously-Hall Of Stars), trained by Dan Hennessey for Amante Standardbreds, has a pair of wins in her first season at the races and has chased Atlantic Crest—not eligible to this stakes event—across the wire in her last two starts.

Prairie Pixie (Proud Bushy-Gifted), never worse than third in her brief career measuring five starts, is owned by Laurie Poulin, along with Fred Morosini, Fritz Racing and trainer Mike Deters.

The $16,650 Aylor for 2-year-old pacing fillies sports a quintet with Gold Star Aurora, Prairie Cowgirl and Tay Tay M the likely contenders for the Aylor crown.

Gold Star Aurora (Rock On-Cohenikova), owned by Marianne Audley and trained by daughter Maggie, has but one blemish on her card. With five wins in six starts, she sports the healthiest bankroll of the quintet with $25,327.

Prairie Cowgirl (Royel Millennium-Taylors Lady), owned by the aforementioned Poulin and trainer Deters, along with John Spindler, got within a neck of Gold Star Aurora in her last start and shows a 2-2-1 card in her five starts worth $12,939.

Tay Tay M (Six Of Diamonds-Susan M), still a maiden after seven starts, but with five seconds and two thirds, is developing a reputation for her eye-opening punch at the end of her miles.

The 10 race pari-mutuel program begins with the $16,450 Aylor for pacing colts and geldings and features the outstanding Prairie Panther (Royel Millennium-Cat Lady), coming into this event undefeated in five starts at Pompano Park against these same classmates.

This “panther” is owned by Laurie Poulin along with trainer Mike Deters and sports a record of 1:56.2, accomplished in his last start.

Among his competitors are Gold Star Bugsy (Rock On-Gold Star Bonaire) and Maybe Ned (Royel Millennium-Ember’s Glory), both second and third, respectively, the last two starts against Prairie Panther.

All of these events are sponsored by the F.S.B.O.A. and lead up to their “super night” scheduled for Sunday (Nov. 27) featuring 2- and 3-year-old Florida breds with total purses expected to exceed $400,000.

Also on Sunday night, Panocchio, undefeated in his first three Pompano Park this fall, returns to the scene after a week of respite from the racing wars. The 6-year-old altered son of No Pan Intended has 45 lifetime wins and $378,928 on his card and seeks to make it a “grand slam” on Sunday against No Bad Dreams, Here Comes William, Duc Dorleans and Rockntouch.

Finally, there will be something better for the bettor as there are three carryovers on the program, including a $2,258 carryover on the Pentafecta fourth race and Super High-5 carryover of $5,557 in the finale. There is also a carryover in the Pick-6, as well.

Post time is set for 7:20 p.m.