Pompano Beach, FL — Amateur drivers Billy Muggleston and Ron Cusimano shared the spotlight at Pompano Park on Sunday night (April 18) as they drove their respective charges to victory in Florida Amateur Driving Club events.

Muggleston, who was the helicopter pilot for Herve Filion during his glorious career, was in the pilot seat as he steered his own Fleet Cessna to victory in the pentafecta fourth race as the 9-1 outsider, rewarding his faithful with a $21.00 mutuel.

Muggleston, a man of many missions, indeed, for Filion, guided this 6-year-old gelded son of Manofmanymissions from fourth around the second turn and brushed him to the front on the backside while opening up an insurmountable lead and coasting to victory in 1:58.2. Stormy Dude (Cusimano) closed well for second while the favored Muscles Aplenty (Dein Spriggs) was next.

It was the first win for Muggleston since May 20, 2018 covering 51 starts, prompting him to say in a post race interview, “I was waiting for some of that Herve magic and Herve touch to rub off on me for a change and tonight was the night. My horse was in a bit easier tonight and he drew nicely and things worked out. A lot of credit goes, of course, to the horse and to trainer Allen Saul and caretaker Cindy Lipp for their dedication to our horses.”

It was the initial win in 13 season’s starts for Fleet Cessna, who just weeks ago went over the $100,000 mark in career bounty.

Cusimano actually got things started by guiding owner-trainer Tom Petri’s Railee Workable to a 1:58.4 win for his fourth success of the year in 13 starts. The 9-year-old Florida bred son of Basil had to use multiple moves during his journey to score by three-parts of a length over Forbidden Song (Brian Calvert). Pepin Coolie (George Anthrop) was third, two lengths away.

Cusimano sent Railee Workable in search of the lead along with the favorite, War Cry Hall, with Forbidden Song also on the prowl as this threesome traded jabs for the first half-mile before Railee Workable used a backstretch sprint to the front and never looked back.

The win was number 29 for Railee Workable and sent his career earnings to $225,815. As the 3-1 third choice, Railee Workable paid $8.60 to win.

The Florida Amateur Driving Club added to its vast resume of contributions with a $2,000 donation to the Harness Racing Museum and Hall of Fame on Sunday night. Dee Leftwich photo.

Several members of the Florida Amateur Driving Club gathered in the winner’s circle as club president Dein Spriggs made a presentation to the Harness Racing Museum and Hall of Fame in the amount of $2,000.

The club, whose members donate all driving earnings back for charitable donations, have contributed well over $200,000 to organizations such as Make-A-Wish, Go For The Greens, American Cancer Society and sanctuaries for retired race horses, among others.

The track also hosted a 10-year memorial for the late William Fay Nelson, known as the “King of the Claimers” during his many years in our sport, one of his favorites being Big Bad Bud, a horse whose diet included chewing tobacco!

The evening concluded with Endeavors Pride taking the nightcap at 7-2 odds, keying a 4-1-3-9-6 combination returning $23,139.44 for the 20-cent pentafecta ticket.

Racing continues on Monday night with a carryover in the Pick-6 of $10,634 and a pair of Pick-4 events, each with a $20,000 guaranteed pool along with an industry low 12 percent takeout. A classic confrontation is expected in the $11,000 Open Handicap Pace which headlines the 13-race extravaganza with Rebellious, Ideal Feeling and Skip To My Lou among the entrants. First post is set for 7:20 p.m.