by Frank Salive, publicity director, Isle Pompano Park

Pompano Beach, FL — The 3-year-old pacing filly that looked unbeatable in Florida’s state-bred program for 2012 has been defeated for the first time this year by her own kind. After sweeping the Florida Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association’s Sunshine State Stakes, Quail was edged out in the $6,395 opening leg of the FSBOA Stakes on Wednesday evening (July 4) at The Isle Casino Racing Pompano Park.

It appeared as though Quail would come through as the heavy favorite again after driver Bruce Ranger took her to the half in :57.3. Turning into the backstretch the final time, Prairie Lee, in rein to Tom Sells, made a surprise rush out of the pocket to engage Quail to the final turn in 1:26.2.

Skip Smith photo

Gold Star Gidget upset Quail in the first leg of the FSBOA 3-year-old filly pace on Wednesday.

Just after that marker, Gold Star Gidget vaulted off the pylons from fourth in line to follow Prairie Lee and Quail into the stretch and Walter Ross, Jr. drove Gold Star Gidget by that lead pair coming to the payoff. Quail persisted for second and Prairie Lee held third.

Gold Star Gidget thus earned a life’s mark of 1:54.4 for owner, breeder and trainer Tom Audley. The daughter of Rock On from the Dragon Again mare Squisita has earned more than $10,000 in 2012 and increased her career earnings in the Florida program to almost $30,000.

In the $6,925 opening leg of the FSBOA Stakes for 3-year-old filly trotters, Selena continued her dominance in the 2012 state-bred program with her final half heroics resulting in a 1:59.3 tally.

Pinch Of Thyme, in rein to Mel Turcotte, laid down all of the speed to the top of the stretch, while Selena was ducked to the inside from second over by driver Bruce Ranger into the stretch and then fanned out widest to trot past for her third straight win of 2012 against Florida-bred company.

Dessert Princess, with Jim McDonald in tow, moved out of the pocket in the closing strides to take down second while Pinch Of Thyme persisted for third.

Selena, by Anythings Possible from the Corleone mare Twenty One Bee, is owned by her breeder, DCLD Stables. Stewart Nemiro of the Bruce Ranger stable trains the handy filly Selena.

In the July 4th Isle Mile Open Handicap Trot for an $8,500 purse, My Revenuer, in rein to Bruce Ranger, emerged from the pocket to score a tight photo finish decision over Jim McDonald’s Good Luck Penny, with En Controle and driver Daniel Harvey up for third.

Tom Petri is the owner and trainer of My Revenuer, a 4-year-old Revenue S gelding from the Super Bowl mare Madam Hanover. My Revenuer thus continues a career best season with his eighth win in 22 starts for 2012 earnings of almost $34,000.

Seven programs remain in the 2011-12 season at The Winter Capital of Harness Racing with post time at 7:05 p.m. every Wednesday and Saturday through July 28. Free race night streaming, handicapping selections by Hall of Famer John Berry, and much more is available in the ‘racing’ tab at www.theislepompanopark.com.