by John Berry, for Pompano Park

Pompano Beach, Florida – There was a “potpourri” of action at Pompano Park on Saturday night with Florida Sunshine State Stakes events highlighting the festivities.

I’ve Got The Power, Ace Mactavish and Tough Trooper were “FSSS” winners in their respective divisions.

Lap Time photo

I’ve Got The Power conquered the elements and some worthy opposition to score a win in the Florida Sunshine State Stakes in 1:55 for Wally Hennessey.

First, though, post time was delayed a bit because of a sudden storm that blasted the racetrack just a few minutes before first post. The trackmen performed their usual heroics, but the track was still labeled “sloppy” when racing got underway.

That didn’t stop I’ve Got The Power from recording yet another victory in the Sunshine State Stakes for three-year-old pacing colts and geldings.

With Wally Hennessey in the bike, the exceptionally talented son of Signed ‘n Sealed was away cautiously in fourth as Lover Boy Le Ru and Dave Ingraham took the field to the opening quarter in a snappy 27.3. Hennessey then sent I’ve Got The Power to the lead after three-eighths of a mile, carved subsequent fractions of 57.2 and 1:27, and sprinted home in 28 to stop the timer in 1:55. A game Lover Boy Le Ru finished a length away in second while Letthemagicbegin, handled by Bruce Ranger, was third.

For I’ve Got The Power, capably trained by Michile Lorenzo, it was his fifth win in six starts this year and 15^th victory in 17 lifetime trips to the post and sent his bounty to $84,188 for Rod Lorenzo and the Keisers Oberman Stables.

Ace Mactavish and Tough Trooper were victorious in the events for the two-year-old pacing colts and geldings.

“Ace” won his seventh straight with a hard fought win for Wally Hennessey in 1:56.2—just holding off the determined D’Artagnan (Ranger) by a head.”

The son of Tough Sir led every step of the mile carding panels of 27.4, 58.2 and 1:28.3 before coming home in 27.4 to narrowly seal the deal. Raging LeRu, driven by Stephan Lareau, was third; almost a dozen lengths back of the top pair.

The victory was the seventh in nine starts for owners Souren Hovsepain and Rod Lorenzo—he’s also trained by Michile Lorenzo—and sent his first year bankroll over the $29,000 plateau.

Tough Trooper, the longest shot in his division for the two year-olds at 30 to 1, reached the winner’s circle for the first time in 11 starts with a gritty 1:58.3 win for Jay Sears.

Also by Tough Sir, “Trooper” was well back in the field as Big Fat Cat, Gaston Lareau driving, put up opening numbers of 29.2 and 59.4.

It was shortly before the half that Tough Trooper was out and moving and, once on the backstretch, blasted his way to the front by the third station, reached in 1:29.1. From there, it was only a matter of holding off Big Fat Cat, a feat accomplished by three parts of a length. The heavily backed Scoot For Glory (Tom Haughton) finished third.

Driver Jay Sears owns Tough Trooper along with his trainer-wife Kim Sears.