by John Berry, for Pompano Park

Pompano Beach, FL — Bombilla Hanover continued her dominance in the Mares Open at Pompano Park on Sunday night (March 17), winning for the fifth straight week, this time in 1:52.3 for Bruce Ranger.

Skip Smith photo

Bombilla Hanover and Bruce Ranger teamed up to win their fifth straight Mares Open at Pompano Park on Sunday night.

The 5-year-old daughter of The Panderosa was away alertly from her outside post in the quintet, settling into third shortly after the start but, just a few steps from the opening station, she was out and driving, securing the lead just after the :27.4 quarter and recording panels of :56.4 and 1:25, soft enough to allow a :27.3 sprint home to score by a three parts of a length as the overwhelming 1-10 favorite.

Abbey Road Hanover, handled by Kevin Wallis, was a game second while Windows Online, with Rick Plano in the bike, finished third, 4-1/4 lengths away. Kayla’s Dream (Dave Ingraham) and Southwind Trini (Wally Hennessey) completed the rundown.

In a post-race interview, Ranger said, “Peter (trainer Peter Blood) really has this mare razor sharp now. She actually ‘told’ me that she was ready to make that move to the front, so she was actually driving me tonight — not the other way around. Great gaited, sharp, handy — she’s everything you could ask for going to the gate. Her turnaround has been nothing short of amazing.”

Owned by Rick Berks and Lew Whitaker, along with trainer Blood, Bombilla is now five for seven in the win column this year, good for $20,750. She’s banked $143,128 lifetime on the strength of 17 lifetime wins in her 60 starts.