Pompano Beach, FL — On the heels of Wally Hennessey’s touchdown and extra point on Pompano Park’s Sunday night (April 28) program, driver Mike Micallef turned the page to the hockey mode as the talented driver scored a hat trick — three wins — on the Monday night (April 29) card.

To kick things off, Micallef guided I’m Very Special to a maiden win for the John Mungillo trained daughter of American Ideal. Melvyn Colby owns the 3-year-old. Unraced at two, I’m Very Special scored in 1:57.3 in her fourth lifetime start, capping the mile with a :28.3 finale after a quarter move to the top.

Said Micallef after the win, “John (trainer Mungillo) just got her and I was just fortunate that he asked me to drive her. She’s a nice filly. I left with her in her first start for him and found a good early spot, but she was in against a very tough winner (Rock N Zeus). This week, she drew much better and she left alertly and I decided to send her on that early move. She didn’t disappoint me, that’s for sure.”

As third choice in the betting, I’m Very Special paid $7.20 to win, which came at the expense of Uschil Hanover (Walter La Freniere Jr.) and Worth Considering (Dewayne Minor).

Next, Micallef guided the 32-1 outsider Keystone Christa ($67.40) to a half-length victory over Goldstar Rockette (Corey Braden) in 1:54.1, a seasonal best performance. Stonebridge Pearl (Dave Ingraham) rounded out the top three as McCovery Cove N and the 1-5 favorite, Sweet Bet, got in a war that took them halfway through the mile in :55.

Micallef related, “That was just a case of being in the garden spot, that’s all. Sometimes things work out and sometimes they don’t. They worked out great for me as we were just biding our time behind the battle up front.”

Keystone Christa, a 10-year-old daughter of Mach Three, is conditioned by Mr. Bev Kingston for owner Lee Cullen, with the win being her 28th lifetime, sending her career bankroll to $170,457.

About 19 minutes later, Micallef completed his consecutive hat trick by steering Ask Me Ifi Care to a handy win in 1:53.4. Owned by Anita Micallef along with Libby Myers, the 4-year-old daughter of Manhardt led every long stride of her mile, clocking panels of :28.1, :57 and 1:25.3 with that :28.1 finale sealing the issue over Rock N Roll Rosie (Wally Hennessey) and Gold Star Mysti (John MacDonald). The victory extended the mare’s winning streak to four, after a throat operation a few weeks ago.

Said Micallef, “She wasn’t quite finishing her miles and when we checked on why, we discovered the problem and had it surgically fixed. If they cannot breathe, they can’t win. Well, she cane breathe now and she’s show that this month.”

Ask Me Ifi Care paid $3.20 to her multitude of faithful.

Racing continues on Tuesday night with the Jackpot Super Hi-5 finale now sporting a carryover of $125,463.31. Post time is set for 7:20 p.m.