by John Berry, for Pompano Park

Pompano Beach, FL — Midnite Craze and Vicki All took top honors in Pompano Park’s twin $15,000 Open Handicap trotting features on Wednesday night (March 28) with the former stopping the clock in 1:55.2 for Dave Ingraham and the latter hitting the wire in 1:56.3 for Mickey McNichol.

Midnight Craze, the aggressive 8-year-old gelded son of Crazed, led at every pole through fractions of :28.3, :57.3 and 1:26.2 before his :29 closer was good enough to hold Boli, handled by Wally Hennessey, safe by a neck. Uncle Hanover, with Andy Santeramo in the bike, was third, 2-1/2 lengths away, while Prairie Fortune finished fourth. Favored Born To Thrive picked up the final award in the classy septet.

Trained by Ivan Davies for owner G. Richard Mason Jr., Midnite Craze won for the second time this year in only four starts, good for $16,500 this semester and $193,331 lifetime to go along with his 26 wins in 79 career starts.

In a post race interview, driver Dave Ingraham relayed, “Midnite Craze has a tendency to be quite aggressive when he hits the track. After he won in 1:54 in early February, he was given some time off and he was his old aggressive self in his first start back after a month and a half off. That race did tighten him up and we put an ear-hood on him to try and calm him down a bit and that seemed to help him in this race.”

Off as the fourth choice at 7-1, Midnite Craze paid $16.20 to win.

Vicki All, a recent purchase by owner Joseph Martinelli Sr., got picture perfect handling from new trainer and driver Mickey McNichol as this 6-year-old daughter of Valley Victor left alertly before yielding early and stalked Modern Mercury, driven by Wally Hennessey, through fractions of :28.2, :57.4 and 1:27.1. Straightening away for home, McNichol guided his mare out of the cozy pocket, pulled on even terms at mid-stretch and then began edging away late to score by 1-1/2 lengths. Second Sister, with Jim Meittinis in her sulky, was third while Explosive Jet and favored Diamond Dagger earned the minor awards in the field of seven.

After the event, McNichol said, “Mr. Martinelli was looking for a good trotting filly (mare) and we found out that this one was available. She hadn’t put in a bad race this year and so we thought she’d be a nice addition to the stable. She paid immediate dividends tonight. I’m very proud of how she performed.”

The win was the first of the year for Vicki All in eight starts, pushing her seasonal earnings to $23,275. Lifetime, Vicki All has $145,561 on her card. Vicki All rewarded her faithful with a $7.80 mutuel as the third choice.

Wally Hennessey and Andy Santeramo, the two leading percentage drivers in terms of wins at Pompano Park, shared the limelight on Wednesday night, each piloting three winners on the program.

Hennessey, winning at a 24.75 percent clip, won with Amora Beach ($3.20), Cashahallic ($8.00) and Duc Dorleans ($3.80) — the latter scoring in a five-eighths-mile dash in 1:08.4.

Santeramo, whose winning percentage is a lofty 24.25 percent, won with Jack Rules ($12.00), No Reason At All ($21.60) and BJ Lorado ($12.80) — the latter duet combining for a $240 late daily double payoff.

Racing continues on Sunday night with Panocchio looking to get back on the winning track in the $15,000 Open Handicap Pace. There is also a carryover in the Super Hi-5 finale of $7,074. Post time is set for 7:20 p.m.