by John Berry, for Pompano Park

Pompano Beach, FL — Illusionsndreams stepped on Pompano Park’s five-eighths-mile “field of dreams” on Wednesday night (April 30) and handily disposed of six rivals in a seasonal best 1:54.3 for driver-trainer Andy Santeramo.

Dee Leftwich photo

Illusionsndreams took top honors in Pompano Park’s top trot on Wednesday, stopping the timer in a seasonal best 1:54.3.

The 8-year-old altered son of Kadabra, co-owned by Santeramo along with Steve Maietta, burst out of the gate to an early lead and yielded three-eighths into the mile before reclaiming command three-eighths from home to score by three lengths over the 8-5 favorite Celebrity Legacy (Bruce Ranger). Glittering Muscles (Bryce Fenn) finished third with Adenium next and Tug River Dylan picking up the nickel in the septet.

Clocking an opening panel of :27.2, Illusionsndreams seemed a bit headstrong early before allowing Northern Inferno to assume command and take the field halfway home in :56. Midway on the backstretch, Santeramo sent his charge out and winging in a second move and in just a few long strides took command and opened daylight on the field past three-quarters in 1:25.3.

From there it was a cakewalk home as Illusionsndreams was well in hand during the :29 finale, easily holding off the late rallying Celebrity Legacy, who trotted the fastest final quarter in the race — :28.3 — but was no threat to the winner.

In a post race interview, Santeramo said, “Last week, we were chewed up pretty good going :26 and a piece from the seven post before we could take the lead and after that we didn’t have any offense on the backstretch. This time, we had a great post and we were able to get the lead easily. It made a big difference tonight. Illusions felt strong the entire way and when I asked him on the backside, he really responded. He was well within himself to the wire.”

For Illusionsndreams, it was his third success of the year — and 25th lifetime — to send his seasonal bankroll to $15,245 and $315,467 lifetime.