by John Berry, for Pompano Park

Pompano Beach, FL — Rocky’s Z Tam, fresh off a 1:50.4 winning effort in conditioned company a week ago, stepped up to the top Open ranks and promptly won that as well, stopping the timer in 1:51.1 for Ricky Macomber Jr.

The 5-year-old gelded son of World Of Rocknroll took home the major share of the $12,000 purse in pinning a photo finish defeat measuring a neck over the pacesetting Respectable Dream, handled by Rick Plano. Bluehourpower, also from the Macomber Stable and driven by Corey Braden, finished third, 2-1/2 lengths away while Fritzie Pic Up Man finished fourth. Mystic Desire picked up the nickel in the quintet.

Skip Smith photo

Rocky’s Z Tam took top honors in Pompano Park’s top pace on Sunday night.

It was a picture perfect journey for Rocky’s Z Tam, who left alertly from the rail, allowing Respectable Dream to take command around the initial turn and on to a quarter in a hot :26.2. At this juncture, Fritzie Pic Up Man was third followed by Bluehourpower and Mystic Desire.

On the backside after a half in :55, both Bluehourpower and Mystic Desire tilted to the outside but a :27.3 third panel left those two unable to dent significantly into the leader’s margin of 1-1/2 lengths past that third station in 1:22.3.

Turning for home, Macomber left the coziness of his pocket and Rocky’s Z Tam began gnawing away at the leader, gaining an ever-so-slight advantage just a couple of strides from the wire.

After the race, Macomber said, “Well, we sure got a picture perfect journey, didn’t we? Those first and third quarters were pretty good and we were just drafting along. Once we straightened away, I tilted him (Rocky’s Z Tam) out and he kept grinding until he got it done. It was a very nice mile for him — and me, too!”

Trained by Jamie Macomber for the Z Tam Stables, Rocky’s Z Tam won for the second time in four starts this semester, pushing his earnings this young season to $11,570. Lifetime, Rocky’s Z Tam has bounty of $116,521. Even money on the toteboard, Rocky’s Z Tam paid $4.20 to win.

The same Macomber, Macomber, Z Tam Stables tandem also teamed up to score in the $10,000 Open 2 Pace with Uncmprmising Z Tam, as this 4-year-old altered son of Shadyshark Hanover made a quarter move to the top and off that :26.2 opener, carded panels of :55.1 and 1:23 en route to a 1:51.3 win.

Trained by Jamie Macomber and with Ricky Macomber Jr. in the bike for the Z Tam Stables, Uncmprmising Z Tam scored by three-parts of a length over the late surging First Of Itskind (Tom Jackson). Heart Felt (Bryce Fenn) finished third, just a nostril further back while He’s A Lock finished a fast closing (:27.3) fourth. The Optimist picked up the final award in the field of eight.

The winner now has nine lifetime wins and $242,563 on his career card. Off at even money, Uncmprmising Z Tam paid $4.00 to his multitude of backers.

Monday’s Pompano program features the ever-popular Over The Hill Gang trot with the tough 9-year-old gelding My Revenuer after his fifth straight win for owner-trainer Tom Petri. Brad Kramer is expected in the sulky back of My Revenuer, who has been installed as the 2-1 morning line favorite.

Among the competitors this week is She’s All In, the 8-year-old mare who has been competitive in Open company over this season. Owner-trainer Rick Plano will be in the sulky back of the gutsy daughter of Revenue S.

Monday’s card also features a carryover in the track’s Pick-6 of $4,412.

Post time is set for 7:20 p.m.