by Michael Costanzo, public relations coordinator, Pompano Park

Pompano Beach, FL — The multiple-stakes winning mare Flo Found George scored her first victory of the season on Friday, March 16, when taking the $10,000 Mares Open Handicap Pace at Pompano Park, although it took a tight three-horse win photo to determine the winner.

Lap Time Photo – Skip Smith

Flo Found George (#2) holds off Golden Falcon N (#3) and Hypnotize (#7) to win the $10,000 Mares Open Handicap Pace in 1:53.2.

Driven from post two by Bruce Ranger, Flo Found George rocketed off the gate to take the lead entering the first turn, as five-time Mares Open Pace winner Hypnotize (Joe Pavia, Jr.) settled along the pylons in second place through an opening quarter in :28.

Positions remained unchanged as the field moved by the grandstand for the first time, with Flo found George showing the way to the half-mile pole in :57.3.

As the field straightened out down the backstretch, Golden Falcon N (Daryl Bier) was angled off the pylons from fourth place to begin her first-over journey while Flo Found George began to pick up the pace, reaching the three-quarter marker in 1:25.3 after a :28 third panel.

Flo Found George entered the stretch with a one length advantage over Golden Falcon N, who continued her methodical first-over charge, leaving the pocket-sitting Hypnotize locked in, looking for an opening on the pylons.

With the finish line rapidly approaching, Golden Falcon N drew within a quarter-length of Flo Found George, who moved out just enough to give Hypnotize the inside path she was looking for.

The three mares were all-out to the wire, with Flo Found George holding on to win by a head in 1:53.2. Golden Falcon N finished second, a nose in front of Hypnotize, who checked in third.

Sent off as the odds-on favorite, Flo Found George returned $3.80, $3.00, $2.40 for the victory. Golden Falcon N brought in $19.80, $3.80 for second, while Hypnotize paid $2.20 to show.

Owned by the Booff Stable and Steve Goldberg of Glen Ridge, N.J. and trained by Anthony Faulkner, Flo Found George has won eight of 20 starts during her career and has amassed over $155,00 in lifetime earnings.

Flo Found George is a 4-year-old daughter of Dream Away, out of the No Nukes mare Cold And Clear.

Stakes contenders qualify

Friday morning qualifiers at Pompano Park had a stakes-quality feel to them as several prominent performers took to the oval.

Trevor Ritchie guided the 4-year-old trotter Birminghim to a qualifying win in 1:58.2. A winner of five races during his career, the son of Striking Sahbra enters his 2007 campaign with $458,713 in earnings, including four stakes triumphs in his juvenile season.

Pompano Park track record holder Three Little Words, the second place finisher in last year’s $250,000 Breeders Crown Mare Trot, made her 2007 debut on Friday morning, winning a qualifier in 1:58.4 while prevailing by 16-1/2 lengths.

A two-time winner at Pompano Park throughout her career, Three Little Words hasn’t started since finishing fifth in the $250,000 Classic Series Final at Dover Downs on November 27, 2006.

He Wants It All, a two-time winner of the Isle of Capri Pacing Series Final, put in his first piece of work since finishing fourth in this year’s edition when taking his qualifying heat in 1:58 for driver/trainer Tom Harmer.

Also qualifying from the Harmer stable on Friday morning was I Can Only Imagine, who has won five of seven starts this year, and has paced the second and third fastest miles of 2007 at Pompano Park (1:50 and 1:50.1). The son of Cole Muffler won his Friday qualifier in 1:54.4.

Pompano recognizes Larry Albano

Friday’s third race at Pompano Park was named in honor of Larry Albano, commemorating his years of service to Pompano Park before his untimely death in June of 2004.

For close to 30 years, Albano was an integral part of the life and spirit of the racetrack. He began as the writer and primary hawker of “Mickey’s Green Card”, introducing thousands to the sport of harness racing and providing insight for all.

Albano later became an expert racing analyst, interviewer, and color commentator of Pompano’s televised races.

Family members, co-workers, horsemen, and well-wishers filled the Pompano Park winner’s circle following the memorial race.