by Frank Salive, publicity director, The Isle Pompano Park

Pompano Beach, FL — The countdown is hitting top gear toward one of the biggest nights of the year at The Isle Pompano Park with the annual Super Night less than a week away on December 5 for the Florida Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association.

The last of the eliminations went into the record books on Saturday evening, November 28. Pocohontas Fame remains in the hunt for a share of the $100,000 bonus offered by the FSBOA to an undefeated 2-year-old performer in the four major Fall stakes. She put on a breathtaking show in a dramatic last to first sweep in her Breeders Stake elimination.

“That might have been her best race so far and it’s tough to get the heart rate under control again after that display,” said Christine Garrity of the Amante Standardbreds ownership group on Pocohontas Fame, by Famously-Native Pine. “Turning into the backstretch the final time I began to have my doubts and then she circled the field and tied her life’s mark in 2:00. It was just incredible. It brings back the great memories from when Dee Day Fame captured a share of the bonus for us five years ago.”

“Well I would never tell a Hall of Famer like Wally Hennessey how to drive her,” said breeder and co-owner Tony Amante. “That kind of handiness was a new dimension for our filly. Wally has brought her up to Super Night the best way possible with that kind of come from behind win. In 2010, I won’t hesitate to take her up to New York and race her outside Florida. But first things first, we’ve got a big night here next Saturday night with a chance at the bonus.”

The other 2-year-old filly trot division went to Prairie Treasure, an Arapa Victory-Lucky Toy miss that captured her first lifetime win from the front end in 2:02.3 with trainer Ray Vizzi in tow.

“She’s just been steadily getting better and she’s proven she can go a big first over trip too,” said owner Steve Stabile, the man behind Steve Stable. “I’ve been an owner of horses for less than two years since Ray (Vizzi) got me into the game and we made our first claim with Grin To Win. Growing up I often went to Roosevelt Raceway before moving to Florida. We might not be able to beat Pocohontas Fame but just to have a horse in an FSBOA final is beyond what I could’ve hoped so soon after deciding to own horses.”

There were also two eliminations for the FSBOA Breeders Stake in the 2-year-old pacing colt and gelding category with Stiletto Jake leading the way with a 1:54.2 under wraps score in rein to Tom Sells.

“He’s certainly one of the greatest horses I’ve had in my barn in my life,” said trainer Bob Connor, Jr. after Saturday night’s win, which was capped off by an unurged final quarter of :28.2 on the 68 degree evening. “I think a real benefit he’s had since we started him up in September is that Tom Sells has been his driver. He’s brought him along perfectly every step of the way and his gate manners and last quarter speed is all thanks to Tom.”

Ownership of Stiletto Jake, a Spy Hard-Ember’s Glory colt, is shared by his breeders Marah Lee and Robert Barker. He now sports a record of seven wins in ten starts this year.

The other elimination of the FSBOA Breeders Stake was won from the front end by the Spy Hard-Cat Lady gelding Three Putt Again in 1:56.1 with David Ingraham in the bike. It was the second straight win for Three Putt Again, capped off by a :27.3 final quarter to hold off the pocket sitter Diamond Howard with Bruce Ranger.

“I’ve been in Florida a long time and training horses for many decades, but having one of my own go to the Super Night is a first for me and a special thrill,” said owner Fred Grant. “I turned over training of him after I broke him to Michel Plouffe. He won’t get the soft fractions like tonight in next Saturday night’s final though.”

Grant also explained how he named his standout statebred rookie performer.

“That name is poking fun at myself for my golf game,” Grant says. “Anyone that plays 18 holes with me knows every time I’m on the green I’ll say ‘well here we go with a chance to three putt again.’ It is kind of a negative name for my golf game, but I’m totally positive for my horse’s chances for next Saturday.”

The December 5 Florida Super Night will also feature the unveiling of Saturday night twin programs at The Isle Pompano Park. With final regulatory approval expected early next week, the South Florida track will begin staging a pair of eight race Saturday night cards at 7:05 p.m. and 9:45 p.m. next Saturday night.

Longtime Pompano competitor Rick Schaut has made only two starts in South Florida this meet but both starts have been big wins with 4-year-old Towner’s Big Guy-Elizabeth Street pacer Mai Tai Guy. On Saturday night, Mai Tai Guy was moved up to the $13,000 Open Handicap Pace and he responded with a second consecutive first over score, this time in 1:52.4, to hold off I’m In Luck with Matt Kakaley and Daley Deposit Only in rein to Dan Daley.

Last week, Mai Tai Guy conquered a conditioned group in a life’s mark of 1:51 to tie the fastest mile of the 2009-2010 meet to date. Schaut also trains Mai Tai Guy and shares ownership with Patricia and Bruce Soulsby.