by John Berry, for Pompano Park

Pompano Beach, FL — Although the stormy weather isn’t expected until Wednesday, Massive Lightning struck again on Tuesday night (Feb. 21) at Pompano Park in the form of a lifetime best 1:54 performance in the $12,000 Open 2 Trot.

Skip Smith photo

Massive Lightning took top honors in Pompano Park’s Open 2 Trot on Tuesday, stopping the timer in 1:54, a new lifetime mark.

The 5-year-old gelded son of Muscle Massive, trained and driven by Mickey McNichol for the Fred Monteleone Stable, went a brave first over journey to score by 1-1/4 lengths over Explosive Muscles, teamed up with Dave Ingraham. Swan Handicap, handled by Ricky Macomber Jr., was next, 3-1/2 lengths away, with Modern Mercury fourth. Tater Twister, leading through the first three stations clocked in :27.2, :55.4 and 1:24.4, respectively, finished fifth in the field of nine.

Massive Lightning, beginning from post five, was unhurried early and away fifth but was out and going prior to the second turn and churning forward, reaching the saddle pad of the leader at the third station and grinding home in front thereafter.

After the event, driver McNichol lauded his charge saying, “This horse (Massive Lightning) is not afraid to gulp air, that’s for sure. He went another big mile. I try and give them a chance to win and sometimes they do. Tonight, he was at his best and I think that’s a lifetime mark for him.”

Massive Lightning is now three for eight this year with earnings of $23,650. He’s banked $113,893 lifetime. The winner was the 7-5 favorite on the Pompano Park toteboard and paid $4.80 to win.

In the $10,000 co-featured trot, My Revenuer, driven by Bryce Fenn, collared the heavily favored Southwind Stryker in mid-stretch and then went on to score a one length victory in 1:56.2 over the late charging Bad Angel (Tom Jackson) with Southwind Stryker (Wally Hennessey) another nose back in third. M T Ur Pockets, beginning from the outside post eight, rallied to be fourth while McKenzie’s Star, last at the stretch call, picked up the nickel in the octet.

In that event, it was Uriel (George Napolitano Jr.) carving the early panels of :27.2, :57 and 1:25.4 before finally yielding to the grinding Southwind Stryker, who was away fifth, then setting sail on a grind forward three-eighths into the mile with My Revenuer following that live cover.

Southwind Stryker took command, seemingly with authority, turning for home but could not withstand My Revenuer’s explosive brush home.

For My Revenuer, owned and trained by Tom Petri, it was his fourth success of the year in seven starts, pushing his 2017 bounty to $17,955. This 9-year-old altered son of Revenue S now has career earnings of $248,514. He rewarded his faithful with a win mutuel of $18.00 as the fourth choice on the board.

Racing continues on Wednesday night with the stage set for a very competitive Open Pace for Mares. Wild Wanda and Godiva Seelster are set to do battle with Jets Are On, Pertty Music, Gweneeee J and Goldstar Rockette in the second race on the card. A Pick-6 carryover also awaits with first post set for 7:20 p.m.