by John Berry, for Pompano Park

Pompano Beach, FL — Celebrity Legacy took top honors in Pompano Park’s trotting feature on Wednesday night (June 5), scoring a handy wire-to-wire win in 1:55.3 for driver Bruce Ranger.

The 7-year-old altered son of Windsong’s Legacy scored a two length decision over Like A Gator (Kevin Wallis) with Tug River Dylan (Dave Ingraham) third in the mile. My Revenuer and Dutchess Seelster picked up the final two awards in the field of seven.

Leaving from the coveted post five, Celebrity Legacy battled briefly for the top spot with Like A Gator before reaching the quarter in :28.1. With no immediate pursuers, Ranger lolly-gagged over to the half in :58.3, repelled a backstretch bid from Tug River Dylan on the final turn and then easily held off Like A Gator on the strength of a final panel in :28.3, capping off a half-mile sprint home in :57.

Owned by Stewart Nemiro, Celebrity Legacy won for the fourth time this year, sending his 2013 bounty to $29,720.

In a post race interview, Ranger said, “He’s just a solid campaigner that gives his all every start. When I got that second quarter breather, I felt confident that he could get home in :57 and change and he fulfilled my expectations — and then some.”

As the even-money tote-board favorite, Celebrity Legacy paid $4.20 to win.

Also on the card, the veteran campaigner Budlightning, handled by Dave Ingraham for owner-trainer Diane Hellen, won for the 53rd time during his courageous career, scoring in 1:59.2 in a claiming event.

The 12-year-old has been 1-2-3 in over half of his 274 lifetime starts, good for $347,243.