by John Berry, for Pompano Park

Pompano Beach, FL — Bluehourpower, driven by Ricky Macomber Jr., again took top honors in Pompano Park’s $12,000 Open Handicap Pace on Sunday night (Jan. 10), stopping the clock in 1:51.

Skip Smith photo

Bluehourpower scored a repeat victory in Pompano Park’s Open Pace on Sunday night.

The 5-year-old altered son of Sand Shooter, trained by Jamie Macomber for owner Wilbur Eash, was in a battle early with Lyons Johnny (Mike Micallef) before assuming control shortly after a :27.2 opener. From there, Bluehourpower went on to post subsequent fractions of :56.1 and 1:23.1 before sprinting home in :27.4, capping a :54.4 final half.

The winner’s margin of victory stretched to 2-3/4 lengths at the wire over Lyons Johnny with Northern Companion (Dave Ingraham) finishing third after a ground saving journey. Whogoesfirst, brushing up on the backside to draw alongside the leader at the third station, finished fourth while Martial Bliss, last turning for home, picked up the minor award in the septet.

For Bluehourpower, it not only was a repeat win, but his fourth win in five starts since arriving at Pompano Park, pushing his lifetime bankroll to $523,131 on the strength of a career scorecard reading 21-10-14 in 70 starts.

After the event, driver Ricky Macomber Jr. said, “I wasn’t about to let the field get a seven length jump on me at the start so I had no choice but to leave and go looking for a close up spot.

“When none developed, I had no choice but to go for the gusto and try and get to the top. The second quarter helped a lot (:28.4) and on the backside we were off to the races.

“He’s very sharp right now. We just hope he stays like this for a while. These horses aren’t machines, you know!”

As the overwhelming 1-5 favorite, Bluehourpower paid $2.40 to his multitude of followers.

The $10,500 claiming pace for horses in for a tag of $30,000 went to Johnny Grippa, superbly handled by Dan Clements. This 5-year-old gelded son of Cam’s Card Shark, trained by Jacques Dupont for Mc Trade Enterprises, led from first lengthy stride to last in scoring a handy victory measuring 2-1/2 lengths in 1:51.2, carding panels of :27.1, :55.4 and 1:23.2 along the way.

Teranadawn, giving chase all the way under the direction of Kevin Wallis, finished second while KR’s Power Surge, teamed up with Dave Ingraham, was next. King Royalty, saving ground all the way, finished fourth while Cee Pee Panic picked up the final award in the field of seven.

The win was number 45 in the 118 race career of Johnny Grippa, sending his lifetime bounty to $214,015. As the 9-5 choice on the toteboard, Johnny Grippa paid $5.60 to win.

In the $9,500 claiming ($20,000) pace, Maddysonofagun, handled by John MacDonald for trainer Jake Huff and owner James F. Brown, split rivals in deep stretch to pull off an upset win in a lifetime best 1:51.2.

The 6-year-old grey son of Modern Art was last in his sextet as Danger Hi Joltage sizzled panels of :26.1, :55 and 1:22.4 before yielding, first to the pocket-sitting Mr Massimo (Wally Hennessey) in midstretch and finally to Maddysonofagun, splitting rivals late to upset the applecart at better than 12-1 odds. Debestleaderever (Rick Plano) rallied to be third while Danger Hi Joltage finished fourth with Lifeimitatesart picking up the nickel.

The win, Maddysonofagun’s 15th lifetime, pushed his career bankroll over the $150,000 mark — $154,428 to be exact — as he rewarded his faithful with a $27.40 mutuel.

Once again, Racing Secretary Greg DeFrank carded the popular “Over The Hill Gang” trot featuring one 9-year-old, seven 10-year-olds, an 11-year-old and a 13-year-old with these 10 warriors accounting for almost 1,800 starts, 313 wins and more than $3.1 million in purse earnings during their respective careers.

At the wire it was Mandabra, the 10-year-old altered son of Kadabra, scoring a handy win in 1:57.1 for owner-driver Dan Clements, this despite having to overcome an early miscue at the start.

Mandabra scored his 2-1/4 length win over the late charging Yankee Manny (Brad Kramer) with Celtic Merchant (Rick Plano) third after surging to the fore around the final turn. On The Tab rallied from far back to finish fourth while M C Felix earned the nickel in the bulky field of 10.

Trained by Renaldo Morales III, Mandabra, a recent claim by Clements, earned his second straight win in this Over The Hill Gang company and sent his lifetime bounty to $326,295. As 7-2 second choice, Mandabra paid $9.40 to win.

Racing continues on Monday night with a nine race card programmed to start at 7:30 p.m.