Blessed Victory takes record in Pompano Open Trot

Pompano Beach, FL — Blessed Victory ($4.80) not only posted his third straight win but also scored a lifetime mark in capturing the $16,000 Open Handicap Trot on Monday at the Isle Pompano Park.

Lap Time Photo – Skip Smith

Blessed Victory and driver Dan Clements scored a lifetime best 1:54.3 victory in the $16,000 Open Handicap Trot.

Driven by Dan Clements, Blessed Victory switched tactics and for the first time this season the 5-year-old gelding left out of the starting gate from post five and went right to the lead by the opening quarter in :28 with Diva Diva (Andy Santeramo) on their heels in second place.

After passing the half-mile pole in :57.1, Too Salty and driver Bruce Ranger moved first-over and began inching up after the leaders by the three-quarters in 1:26.1. But Blessed Victory would have nothing to do with the field as he kicked in a :28.2 final quarter to win going away by three open lengths in 1:54.3. Too Salty was second with Diva Diva third.

The new career mark was also the gelded son of Conway Hall’s sixth victory in just ten starts this year for trainer William Gallagher, who leases Blessed Victory with Victoria Jackson-Carinda.

— Steve Wolf