by John Berry, for Pompano Park

Pompano Beach, FL — Trainer Gregg McNair came to the gunfight at Pompano Park with two weapons fully loaded on Saturday night in OK Commander and Aracache Hanover and proceeded to gun down the competition and take the top two spots in the Open 1 Handicap Pace.

Skip Smith photo

OK Commander edged by stablemate Aracache Hanover to win the Open Pace at Pompano Park in 1:50.1.

In a photo finish decided by a neck, it was OK Commander, catch-driven by Kevin Wallis, edging by his stablemate, Aracache Hanover, handled by Stuart Sowerby, on the strength of a final quarter in :26.4 to eke by in the final stride or two, stopping the timer in 1:50.1.

Cruizin K C, with Mark O’Mara in the bike, was third, almost four lengths away, while McGreat (Dave Ingraham) and Northern Companion (Rob Hoffman) picked up the last two marbles in the field of six.

The McNair pair, assigned the two outside post positions, were quickly one-two a few steps out of the gate with OK Commander yielding to Aracache Hanover well before the :27.2 opener. From there, Aracache Hanover was first halfway through in :55.3 and remained a clear leader past station three in 1:23.1.

At the top of the lane, Wallis left his cozy pocket with OK Commander and the pair matched strides all the way home with OK Commander edging by late.

McNair was ecstatic with his charges, saying, “They both did themselves proud, especially in view of the fact that both were making their first start of the year. Aracache paced his last half in :54.3 and just got nipped by the Commander, who probably went his last half in :54.1 or 54.2; and seeing OK Commander come back this well after his severe injury — you know, he did break a knee and was out an entire year after winning in 1:47.4 in 2010 — well, that was special tonight.”

An elated Kevin Wallis said, “Stuart (Sowerby) must have been in the travel agency business somewhere along the way because he sure gave me a great journey in here. This horse is huge and he’s a game thing, coming his last quarter like that in his first start. Gregg (McNair) said he could leave so I decided to get out of there the best I could.”

Owned by William Switala and James Martin, OK Commander pushed his lifetime bounty close to a half million dollars at $496,555. Aracache Hanover, also owned by Switala and Martin, pushed his career earnings to $1,461,949 on the strength of his second place finish.

The Open 2 Pace went to Talk To Tony with Wally Hennessey handling the lines.

Leading every step of the mile, the 6-year-old son of Artiscape clocked panels of :27.4, :56.4 and 1:24.4 before sprinting home in :27.4 to report home a comfortable two length winner in 1:52.3 for trainer Kim Sears.

Talk To Tony garnered his third win of the year in eight starts for owners Jay Sears and John Campagnuolo, sending his lifetime bounty to $110,699.

Hay Goodlooking (Rick Plano) chased the winner the entire mile and did finish second while Village Jackson, off as the 6-5 favorite, rallied to finish third.