by Michael Costanzo, public relations coordinator, Pompano Park

Pompano Beach, FL — William Owens’ Napoleon Dynahorse handed the previously unbeaten Sody’s Moonshine the first defeat of his career on Saturday (October 6) when upsetting in the $14,000 Sunshine State Stakes final for 2-year-old Florida-bred colt and gelding pacers at Pompano Park.

Lap Time Photo – Skip Smith

Napoleon Dynahorse, driven by Bruce Ranger, captured the $14,000 Sunshine State Stakes final for 2-year-old colt and gelding pacers in 1:54.3.

Driven from post two by trainer Bruce Ranger, Napoleon Dynahorse found a comfortable spot in third place through the early stages of the Saturday pace as Sody’s Moonshine (Kevin Wallis) took the field through opening fractions of :27.2 and :56.

As the juvenile pacers made their way down the backstretch, Alligator Alley, the second choice in the wagering, vacated the pocket to attack first-over, providing cover for Napoleon Dynahorse, and that pair advanced on the leader through a three-quarter split in 1:25.2.

Sody’s Moonshine retained the top spot through the final turn and entered the stretch with a 1-1/4 length advantage, but the son of Tough Sir had no answer for Napoleon Dynahorse, who rolled three-wide down the lane to take the lead in deep stretch, hitting the wire one length the best while stopping the timer in 1:54.3.

Napoleon Dynahorse paid $11.00, $3.60, and $2.10 for the victory. Sody’s Moonshine brought in $2.20 and $2.10 for second, while Alligator Alley returned $2.10 for third.

Napoleon Dynahorse has now prevailed in three of seven starts during his career. With his victory on Saturday, the son of Raging Glory, out of the Lime Time mare Queen Ann Revonah, owns a career bankroll in excess of $18,000.

With the defeat of Sody’s Moonshine, only the 2-year-old filly Alice Springs remains eligible for the $100,000 bonus offered by the Florida Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association to any juvenile that prevails in each of the Florida Sires Stakes finals.

After an uncharacteristic sixth place performance in last week’s leg of the Sunshine State Stakes for sophomore colt and gelding pacers, the 2006 champion Florida-bred juvenile pacer Ace Mactavish ($4.40) returned to his winning ways on Saturday when taking the $14,000 3-year-old final in 1:55.

Owned by Rod Lorenzo and Souren Hovsepian, trained by Michile Lorenzo, and driven from post eight by Wallis, Ace Mactavish was quick off the gate to take control of Saturday’s pace, cutting out fractions of :27.4, :56.4 and 1:25.2, before coming home relatively unchallenged in :29.3 to prevail by 1-1/2 lengths over Tranquility (Anthony Napolitano). Scoot For Glory (Andy Santeramo) finished third.

With his victory on Saturday, Ace Mactavish pushed his lifetime bankroll over the $100,000 mark. The son of Tough Sir has visited the winner’s circle in 16 of 20 starts during his career.