by Steve Wolf, Director of Marketing, Pompano Park

Pompano Beach, FL — With a three-wide move on the final turn, Crest ($3.20, $3.00, $2.80) and driver Bruce Ranger were able to gun down both Midgie ($13.00, $5.40) and Chili Vanili ($6.40), to post their fourth straight win at Pompano Park on Friday.

Lap Time Photo – Mary Scott

Crest and driver Bruce Ranger come on late to win the eighth race trot at Pompano Park on Friday.

Crest just got up at the finish in the eighth race $5,000 trot to win by a half length for owner/trainer Gerard Levesque of Bell, Florida in 1:57¹. It was Crest’s sixth win in eight starts this year.

The race started off with Chili Vanili (Anthony Napolitano) going right to the early lead with Midgie (Wally Hennessey) leaving from post nine and grabbing the two hole spot past the opening quarter mile in :29.

As the field passed the half mile pole in :58³, Muscle Boss Vita (Veral Bowman) came first-over to challenge with Crest and Ranger following the outside cover to the three-quarters in 1:28.

But on the final turn, Ranger moved Crest three-wide but did not get into high gear until deep stretch as Hennessey pulled the pocket with Midgie to edge Chili Vanili, but could not hold off Crest.

Lori Louise wins Open Handicap Trot

In the 10th race $8,000 Open Handicap Trot, the lone mare in the field, track record holder Lori Louise ($20.20) and driver John Kakaley were able to pull off the upset with a half length triumph in 1:56³ over the 3-2 favorite, Guy Gets Girl (David Ingraham) and Sovereign Fire (Mickey McNichol).

It was Ultimate Sundance and driver Bruce Ranger that cut the mile from the start, going to the quarter mile in :28¹ and the half in :58³, with Sovereign Fire getting the pocket trip and then at the half, Guy Gets Girl coming first-over and grinding it out against the race leader. Lori Louise sat in fourth place, biding her time.

As the field came down the stretch, Guys Gets Girl was starting to catch Ultimate Sundance, who then went off-stride, but it was Kakaley and Lori Louise that stole the show.

A six-year-old mare by Jurgy Hanover, Lori Louise is trained by Gordon Norris and was bred and is owned by Diane Norris and Clifford Grundy of Howell, Michigan.

Pompano Park will feature simulcasting of the Kentucky Derby Saturday plus the last two races on the Churchill Downs program.