by Frank Salive, publicity director, Isle Pompano Park
Pompano Beach, FL — The longest win streak enjoyed by any horse racing in South Florida in 2011 ended on Saturday evening (September 24) at The Isle Casino Racing Pompano Park as all eight divisions of the $10,000 Sunshine State Stakes championships were contested in the Florida Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association Fall Series.
The 13 race and lifetime undefeated record of 3-year-old trotting filly Seeking Jeanie came to end when she made the first break in stride of her career. Taking advantage of that mistake was her main rival in the division, Little Peanut. Robert Williams, Jr. was in the bike to move her to the lead past the half and the daughter of Wewering-Maia Maia was flawless the rest of the way to score in 2:00.4 for co-owner and trainer Linda Kakaley. Also holding ownership shares are Matt Kakaley and Robert Van Annan.
In the 3-year-old colt and gelding trot final, 2-5 favorite Famous Hall made a break at the gate and was never in contention. Seizing the moment to take command was Lugar, in rein to Richard Simard, at the quarter in :27.3. He coasted home the rest of the way in 1:58.3. Mark Friedman conditions the Famously-Chili Vanili homebred gelding for Polo Stables of Boca Raton, Fla.
The five race undefeated streak of 2-year-old colt trotter Matcan also came to an end. Stepping up to win in this final was Canihavesomemore, a Wewering-Strike N Hop colt trained by Marc Major for owner Denis Goyette of Laval, Quebec. Richie Simard was in the bike for the 2:06.2 effort.
Lap Time Photo — Skip Smith
Cracker Coffee upset Diamond Amber in the Sunshine State Stakes championship in 1:55.1 with the track rated good from afternoon rain.
The mild upset at 7-2 in the 2-year-old filly pace final went to Cracker Coffee in 1:55.1. Wally Hennessey was in the bike behind the Six Of Diamonds-Nasty As Can Be filly as she emerged from a pocket trip to haul down 1-9 favorite Diamond Amber in rein to Richie Simard. Kim Sears trains Cracker Coffee for owner and breeder Phil Peavyhouse of South Lyon, Mich.
In the 3-year-old filly pace final, Ruby Howard was the second choice at 2-1 in rein to Walter Ross, Jr. and she emerged from a pocket tour to take down heavily favored Gold Star Glitter driven by Wally Hennessey. Ruby Howard earned a life’s mark of 1:54.1 for trainer Michile Lorenzo and co-owners Souren Hovsepian and Rod Lorenzo.
In the $12,000 winners over feature, Bruce Ranger was at his crafty best to engineer a pocket trip for Rudy Valentino to score in 1:53.1 over the favored Dragons Blood with Mike Micallef in tow. The Spy Hard-J Ps Scooter 7-year-old pacer is owned and trained by Michael Perzow of Lake Worth, Fla. Rudy Valentino has a three race win streak in progress in South Florida dating back to his wins in the weekly top pace in July before the Summer break.
A major fireworks show followed the Saturday evening program for a large trackside and casino crowd under an 80 degree setting. In addition to Wednesday and Saturday evening programs, Monday racing returns on October 10. Tuesday racing returns on November 22 when the four nights per week schedule is in effect at The Winter Capital of Harness Racing. The racing schedule, free race night streaming and replays are available in the racing tab at www.theislepompanopark.com.