by John Berry, for Pompano Park

Pompano Beach, FL — Hollywood Sign A, the classy Australian bred Life Sign gelding, led from first long stride to last in taking Pompano Park’s $15,000 Open Handicap Pace on Sunday night (April 1).

Superbly handled by owner-trainer Matt Krueger, the 9-year-old, beginning from coveted post five, sawed though panels of :27 :55.2 and 1:24.2 before a :27.2 sprint home held track record holder Panocchio, driven by Wally Hennessey, safe by a half-length in 1:51.4. The Onlyest One, with John MacDonald in his sulky, finished third, 3-3/4 lengths away while Team Captain and Drachan Hanover earned the final awards in the classy sextet.

Skip Smith photo

Hollywood Sign A led gate-to-wire in taking Pompano Park’s featured pace on Sunday night.

At the outset, Hollywood Sign A zipped right to the front with Panocchio, beginning one slot further out, following and deciding to grab the seat in the garden spot. These two were one-two through the journey with Team Captain making a backside brush from fifth into third around the final bend. Turning for home, Panocchio left his cozy pocket and began gnawing away at the leader but Hollywood Sign A would not be denied this night.

In a post-race interview, driver Matt Krueger related, “Hollywood (Sign A) is extremely sharp right now. He’s feeling good, very willing and will do anything you ask. The scratch (American Hustle-sick) put us in that great five post here and it was almost as if he wanted to push the (starting) gate out of his way. Those fractions are comfortable for a horse of his caliber so I was pretty confident when he reached the final bend on top.

“He’s a happy horse with a great attitude and loves romping in the field and he shows his appreciation by his performances on the track…a pleasure to be around!”

The victory was the third of the year in 12 starts with his earnings vaulting to $37,585. Lifetime, Hollywood Sign A has 31 wins in exactly 150 starts and $237,493. As the even-money favorite, Hollywood Sign A paid $4.00 to win.

The $13,200 Open II Pace went to Doo Wop Hanover, driven by Tony Kerwood. The 7-year-old altered son of Rocknroll Hanover got up in the final stride to win in 1:51.1 over Kotare Yael N, handled by Corey Braden. Annihilator, with Matt Krueger in his bike, was third while Dakota Jack finished fourth. Lyons Johnny picked up the nickel in the sharp field of nine.

Trained by Peter Blood, who co-owns with Rick Berks, Doo Wop Hanover was away mid-pick as Lyons Johnny and Fritzie Pic Up Man engaged in a :26.3 first quarter war before the latter took charge and sizzled to the half in :54.3. On the backside, Kotare Yael N zipped up from third to take charge around the final bend with Annihilator second over and Doo Wop Hanover third over past the third station in 1:22.4. Straightening away, Kerwood steered Doo Wop Hanover widest of all and his :27.4 finale was just enough to eke out the win.

The win was the second of the year in 10 starts for Doo Wop Hanover and pushed his career earnings $790,969 — $21,395 this semester. Off at 9-5 on the toteboard, Doo Wop Hanover paid $5.60 to win.

Yet another speedy performance was put in by Spirit Shadow, driven by Wally Hennessey. This 5-year-old gelded son of Spirit Shadow wired his foes in 1:51.3, a new lifetime mark, after carving out fractions of :28, :56 and 1:23. Pocket sitting A Good Time To Rock (John MacDonald) was second while Surge Seelster (Corey Braden) finished third. Major Starlight and Cool Like Fire earned the minors.

Spirit Shadow now has a 4-0-2 scorecard in 11 starts, good for $20,810. Trained by Eric Beach for A Piece of the Action, LLC., Spirit Shadow paid $7.20 as second choice in the wagering.

In the Sunday night Pick-6, there were no tickets sold with all six winners, resulting in a Monday night Pick-6 carryover of $1,295.74. Also, there was nary a single winning ticket on the track’s Super Hi-5 on Sunday night with the carryover ballooning to $11,118.98 for the Monday program, when racing resumes with a scheduled post of 7:20 p.m.