by Steve Wolf, senior director of racing operations, Pompano Park

Pompano Beach, FL — Both Callies Sweetheart and Goldstar Rosie need to win in the $14,000 final of the Sunshine State Stakes for 2-year-old pacing fillies on Friday (September 26) at the Isle Pompano Park Harness Track because there is a $100,000 bonus riding on the winner.

If either of these fillies can win the third race feature they can advance towards earning the $100,000 bonus offered by the Isle Pompano Park and the Florida Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association to any Florida-sired 2-year-old that can win all four Sire Stakes finals.

Callies Sweetheart is the 5-2 morning line favorite and starts from post three. She was just purchased last week from owner/breeder Melvyn Aylor for an undisclosed sum by trainer Tom Harmer for his Ciara Stable and co-owner Michael Polansky.

Callie Sweetheart has three wins this year, including a $23,000 division of the Stallion Stakes and last week scored a lifetime mark of 1:56.4. She will be driven for the first time by Wally Hennessey.

Goldstar Rosie is the 3-1 second choice from post five for driver Dan Clements. The early season sensation was undefeated after four starts until last week when she finished third by only a neck in a division of the Sunshine State Stakes series. She also won a division of the Stallion Stakes in 1:57.4 and back in July won the $21,300 final of the Orange Blossom Series.

But it won’t be a walk in the park for either filly as they face a stellar field of six rivals, most of whom can upset the applecart.

And Bling may just be the filly to upset the field. Starting from the rail as the 4-1 third choice in the race, Bling has won four of her last five starts for the Polo Stables and last week was second by a neck, edging out Goldstar Rosie at the wire for driver Mel Turcotte.

Howards Pride from post six is coming off a lifetime mark of 1:57.3 last week for driver Bruce Ranger, ending the unbeaten streak of Goldstar Rosie. Howards Twister starts from post seven for driver Joe Pavia, Jr. and despite still being a maiden after eight starts, shows six second-place finishes in her eight lifetime starts. Also a contender is Dontbreakmyheart and driver Anthony Napolitano from post four. They were a tough second to Callies Sweetheart last week.

In the first race $14,000 Sunshine State Stakes final for 3-year-old pacing fillies, Alice Springs goes for her fifth straight win. She has won 16 of her 17 career starts and thus has been barred from wagering and is in the race to compete for the purse only. She starts from post four for driver Wally Hennessey.

The 6-5 favorite in the race is Allee T from post three who has been second to Alice Springs five times this year.