by Michael Costanzo, public relations coordinator, Pompano Park

Pompano Beach, FL — Sonofapreacherman was in peak form at Pompano Park on Wednesday (Jan. 9) as the 8-year-old gelding posted a lifetime best mile of 1:57.4 when capturing the featured $7,200 seventh race claiming trot at the South Florida oval.

Lap Time Photo – Skip Smith

Sonofapreacherman holds off Down Swing to take the featured $7,200 claiming trot at Pompano Park on Wednesday in a lifetime best 1:57.4.

Starting from the inside post with Anthony Napolitano at the lines, Sonofapreacherman settled briefly in second place through the early stages of the race as Wyatt (Wally Hennessey) marched on the lead through an opening quarter-mile in :29.

As the trotters moved by the grandstand for the first time, Napolitano angled Sonofapreacherman off the pylons, and with a rush the son of Overcomer charged to the front, seizing control of the race through middle fractions of :58.3 and 1:28.1.

Sonofapreacherman entered the stretch with a one length advantage, and was never truly threatened down the lane, crossing the wire three-quarters of a length better than race favorite Down Swing (David Ingraham).

Sonofapreacherman returned $8.00, $4.20, and $3.20 for the win. Down Swing brought in $3.80 and $3.00 for second, while Wyatt paid $6.20 for third.

Owned by Louis Haskell, Jr. of Ft. Lauderdale, and trained by Jacques Dupuis, Sonofapreacherman is a 17-time winner throughout his six-year racing career. His winning mile of 1:57.4 in Wednesday’s Pompano feature topped his previous mark of 1:59.2, set July 29, 2005, at Flamboro Downs.

The victory by Sonofapreacherman was the second of four wins on the program for Napolitano, who also prevailed with K M Sweet Dreams ($7.80) in race three, Magical Matt ($7.00) in race eight, and Amazing Hanover ($6.20) in race 11.