by Steve Wolf, Director of Marketing, Pompano Park
Pompano Beach, FL — Joey Zaza ($5.00) left little doubt that he is back on the winning track with an impressive wire-to-wire victory in the $8,000 Open Handicap Pace at Pompano Park on Saturday, stopping the teletimer in 1:522.
The 10th race feature pace saw driver Wally Hennessey and Joey Zaza leave hard from post four and stuff Virtuocity (Mickey McNichol) into the pocket-sit before the opening quarter mile in :274. Joey Zaza then cut the mile to the half in :563 and that was when Marc Aubin started race favorite Hearty Fellow first-over.
As Hearty Fellow gained ground slowly in the backstretch, Hennessey still had plenty of pace with Joey Zaza as they hit the three-quarters in 1:242. After the turn for home, Hearty Fellow could not stay with the leader as Joey Zaza still had a :281 last quarter in him to win by two and one-half lengths. Hearty Fellow held for second but saw his three race winning streak come to an end. Virtuocity was third.
It was the third win this year for Joey Zaza, a seven-year-old gelding by Camluck, who is trained by Rod Lorenzo and was bred and is owned by Souren Hovsepian of Palm Beach.
Walter Ross, Jr. had the hot hands Saturday, winning four races on the program. Trainer Gordon Norris sent out three winners from his stable.