by John Berry, for Pompano Park

Pompano Beach, FL — Saint Patty’s Doll, driven by Bruce Ranger, took top honors at Pompano Park on Tuesday night (Dec. 16) as the south Florida track put on its initial Open trotting event strictly for the mares.

Skip Smith Photo

Saint Patty’s Doll took top honors (1:55.1) in Tuesday’s top trot at Pompano Park.

The 5-year-old daughter of Conway Hall stopped the timer in a lifetime best 1:55.1, pinning a defeat measuring 1-1/4 lengths on the late-charging Trot Fudge Sundae, handled by Tom Sells. M T Ur Pockets and Ed Hensley teamed up for show honors while Blushing Hanover was fourth in the septet. She’s All In picked up the minors.

Trained by Jake “300” Huff for Stable 45, Saint Patty’s Doll left alertly from post five but was looped by Blushing Hanover, starting from the outside post seven, in a battle for early supremacy. While Blushing Hanover won that early war, Saint Patty’s Doll was out again and vying for the top spot as the opener was caught in :27.1.

Once on top, Saint Patty’s Doll was able to work out a second-quarter breather, reaching the half in :56.4.

On the backside with things beginning to heat up, Saint Patty’s Doll was able to step it up a notch herself, thwarting a bid by M T Ur Pockets as they reached the third station in 1:25.4 with Blushing Hanover still third and Trot Fudge Sundae second-over with She’s All In now shuffled with no place to go in fifth.

In the lane, Saint Patty’s Doll edged away from M T Ur Pockets and only had to hold off the late surging Trot Fudge Sundae, which she did with a :29.3 finale.

In a post race interview, driver Bruce Ranger related, “Jake (trainer Huff) said that this mare had been very sharp up north and had just been claimed up there. He said she seemed to be very handy and likes to be in the thick of it. She showed gate speed when I drove her in a qualifier here and chased a good one home in :28. There didn’t seem to be too much early speed in here so I thought I’d give her a chance to prove herself right off the bat She did, too! Obviously, Jake had done a great job with her in the short time he’s had her.”

The win was number nine on the year for Saint Patty’s Doll, pushing her seasonal earnings to $$69,886, her best season ever thus far in her career. She’s banked $125,910 lifetime.

As the 8-5 tote-board choice, Saint Patty’s Doll paid $5.20 to win.