by John Berry, for Pompano Park

Pompano Beach, FL — Dee’s Rocketman, confidently driven by Andy Santeramo, took top honors in Pompano Park’s $11,000 Open Pace on Sunday (Feb. 18), pinning a 1:50.4 defeat on Hollywood Sign A, handled by Matt Krueger.

Sing For Me George, with Mickey McNichol in his bike, finished third while Pointsman and pacesetting Fritzie Pic Up Man were next in a very classy sextet.

Skip Smith photo

Dee’s Rocketman took top honors in Pompano Park’s Sunday night feature.

The 6-year-old son of Rock N Roll Heaven scored by 1-1/4 lengths after a first up backside bid grinding forward from third to take command turning for home.

It was Fritzie Pic Up Man who left with alacrity from his one post to clip off an opening panel in a hot :26.4 with the Aussie bred Hollywood Sign A also on the engine off the wings to find a comfortable spot in the garden seat and Dee’s Rocketman sitting chilly in third. With a half in :55, the pace began to heat up again on the backside as Santeramo sent Dee’s Rocketman charging hard and engaging in war with the leader through an official third panel in :27.3 — his :27 flat. Turning for home, Dee’s Rocketman forged to the lead and never relented as his :28 final quarter sealed the deal.

In a post race interview, Santeramo said, “I had a couple of wins with this horse recently and Mickey (trainer McNichol) asked me to handle him again since he had another one in there (Sing For Me George). I have to give Mickey a lot of credit because he had this horse ready to race. He’s not afraid to take some air so the first up bid on the backside was not a concern to me at all. He’s as game as they come and gives his all every start.”

When asked if the 1:50.4 mile was his fastest ever, Santeramo quipped, “Well, to tell you the truth, I don’t really know because I don’t keep track of that sort of thing. To tell you a lie, I think I had one go in (1):46 or (1):47 once!”

Dee’s Rocketman now has four wins in six starts this young season with earnings of $17,525 for owner Joseph Martinelli Sr. Lifetime, Dee’s Rocketman has won 15 times to go along with his brand new mark of 1:50.4 on this night. Off as second choice at 8-5, Dee’s Rocketman paid $5.20 to win.

In the $10,000 Open 2 Pace, The Onlyest One, driven by George Napolitano Jr., won a hard fought duel with Lyons Johnny, driven by John MacDonald, to score in 1:51.1 — his wire-to-wire margin 1-3/4 lengths off of sizzling splits of :26.4, :54.3 and 1:23. Dakota Jack, with Dave Ingraham driving, was third while American Hustle was next. Team Captain picked up the nickel in the sharp septet.

The Onlyest One, a 9-year-old gelded son of Bettor’s Delight, sent his 2018 scorecard to 3-3-0 in six starts, good for $22,000. The win was a milestone of sorts as this was the 25th win of his career measuring 158 starts. Joe Pavia Jr. trains the winner for John Whiting, Michael Rich and Lawrence Chimerine, who now has lifetime bounty of $267,790. As second choice in the betting at 7-2, The Onlyest One paid $9.00 to win.

Also on the Sunday card, driver Joe Sanzeri celebrated his birthday with one of Pompano Park’s historical favorites, Northern Companion.

Sanzeri found a seam turning for home and mowed his competitors down with a late surge to score in 1:54.1. It was the first win of the year for the 10-year-old altered son of Cambest and 52nd win lifetime — 42 of which have been at Pompano Park. His lifetime earnings are now $337,038. Trained by Howard Klohr for the Delray Duo, Northern Companion, despite beginning from the rail, went off as the longest proposition on the board at 26-1 and paid $55.20 to his remaining faithful.

Racing continues on Monday night with a very competitive card offering a Pick-6 holdover and a season high carryover in the Super Hi-5 vaulting to $220,368. Post time is set for 7:20 p.m.