by John Berry, for Pompano Park

Pompano Beach, FL — First stop Wednesday morning — the hardware store to get some light bulbs for Pompano Park’s tote board. Dave Ingraham is buying!

Three of Ingraham’s charges lit up the Pompano tote board and night time sky on Tuesday (Jan. 27), each scoring at better than 40-1 odds with one, Wesley’s Fortune, emerging a winner at better than 60-1.

Ingraham’s memorable night began in the third race when Rocinante came from dead last around the final turn to score in 1:55. Trained by Randy Bickmore for owner Richard Knight, this son of Rocknroll Hanover, now eight, scored his initial win of the year and 24th lifetime to send his lifetime bounty to $198,377 and reward his faithful with a mutuel of $86.40 as the longest proposition in the field of seven — though he was coming off a race where he had a second tier post and was enjoying a class drop this time around.

Ingraham’s second bomb came with Bob Dutilly’s Tug River Dylan in a conditioned-optional claiming trot. Making his first start of the new year, Ingraham laid off a hot early pace and then sent his charge rocking home to nail a photo finish victory in 1:57.2 at odds almost identical to his first winner. Paying $86.20, Tug River Dylan won for the 25th time in his career to send his lifetime earnings to $138,081.

Skip Smith photo

Wesley’s Fortune, handled by Dave Ingraham, lit up the tote board at Pompano Park on Tuesday night, scoring a victory at 64-1 odds.

Ingraham completed his hat trick with Dorothy Zarza’s Wesleys Fortune, this 10-year-old following live cover the final three-eighths of a mile to squeak by late at odds of 64-1. He paid $130.80 to win and keyed a $9,052 tirfecta and a 20 cent superfecta payoff of $3,599.26.

After that event, trainer Howard Klohr joked, “I didn’t bet one single dime on him but, now, you’ll have to excuse me, .I have to go to the window and try and bet $2 on the replay!”

In other Pompano action on Tuesday night, the second leg of the Better Late Than Never pace for condition claimers was held with Henry Blue Chip and Indigo Artist the winners in their respective divisions.

Maryann Plano’s Henry Blue Chip, a 4-year-old son of Art Major driven by Rick Plano, held on gamely to score a narrow decision over the late surging Directly Related and Dan Clements in 1:55.4 for his second success of the year in four starts. Smithers finished third for Jason Dillander while Total Proof and Justice My Way also picked up minor awards.

Indigo Artist, with Ed Hensley handling the lines, repeated his win of a week ago, stopping the clock in 1:54.4 for a decision measuring 2-1/4 lengths over Son Day, driven by Kevin Wallis. New Rock To Roll and John MacDonald teamed up for show honors with Big Better Best and Tough Issue getting the minors.

In a post race interview, driver Ed Hensley said, “He (Indigo Artist) seemed like he wanted to race tonight so I made — rather he made — that quarter move and was strong right to the wire.”

Indigo Artist. a 6-year-old son of Arturo, is trained by Rod Grady for owner Percy Jones.

The Fair Start Late Closer second leg went to Tom Petri’s Nomad, driven by Rick Plano. Making his first start for the new owner, Plano sent this 4-year-old son of Swan For All on a quarter move to the top and never looked back, scoring the 1:57.4 victory over Railee Kwik, driven by Bruce Ranger. Gray N Cloudy was third for Dave Ingraham with Luvnuisfun fourth. Ilari got the nickel.

Finally, the Super Hi-5 again had several winners with the carryover to Wednesday’s card at $81,704.54. Post time for the midweek card is 7:30 p.m.