by John Berry, for Pompano Park

Pompano Beach, FL — In a field laced with lifetime winners of close to $3 million and six sub-1:50 performers, Southwind Amazon, handled by Mike Micallef, emerged victorious in the Sunday (March 27) Pompano Park feature, stopping the timer in 1:50.3.

The 6-year-old son of Camluck, trained by Paul Holzman for owner Ameer Najor, pinned a half-length defeat on stablemate Dedi’s Dragon (Ricky Macocmber Jr.) with Alexa’s Jackpot (John MacDonald) third. Four Socks and Whogoesfirst were next in the field of nine.

At the outset in this $15,000 Open Pace, it was Alexa’s Jackpot and Whogoesfirst leaving with alacrity with Dedi’s Dragon also on the prowl with Southwind Amazon also tilting to the outside on the move up. With a hot opener of :26.1, Alexa’s Jackpot had the top spot, but not for long as Dedi’s Dragon charged alongside and then into the lead, only to be met by stablemate Southwind Amazon heading into the second turn and securing the lead halfway through the mile in a blazing :54.1.

On the backside, Southwind Amazon continued to glide along as Steelhead Hanover, making his 2016 debut, charged up into second but was unable to reach the saddle pad of the leader past the third station in 1:22.2. In the lane, Southwind Amazon put away the challenge of Steelhead Hanover and only had to repel Dedi’s Dragon, which he did on the strength of a :28.1 closer.

In a post race interview, driver Micallef said, “This wasn’t the easiest of trips for him. After all, when you get to the half in :54.1, you never know if you can get home. He proved he’s a great horse before with that 1:49.2 mile a couple of starts ago and he proved it again tonight.

“Paul (trainer Holzman) said he’s sharp and he was right! Again, he’s just a great horse and I was honored to steer him home tonight.”

For Southwind Amazon, it was his fifth success of the year in 11 starts and 22nd lifetime win, sending his career bounty to $248,932 — $33,064 of that so far this year. As the 4-5 toteboard favorite, Southwind Amazon paid $3.80 to win.

In the $11,000 co-feature for $30,000 claiming pacers, Starlite Kid, the longest proposition in the field at 39-1, got picture perfect handling from Kevin Wallis to upset the applecart and score a 1:50.3 win. Favored Buddha Blue Chip was second, a length away, for Mike Micallef with Winyard Hanover third under the direction of Wally Hennessey.

This one was a classic as Winyard Hanover and Thebestofjoel battled early for supremacy with the latter hitting the opening marker in a very hot :26. Shortly thereafter, Buddha Blue Chip was on the move and joined Thebestofjoel in a battle through the half in :54. On the backside, Winyard Hanover was sprinting up yet again and joined Buddha Blue Chip at the third station in 1:21.4.

But Starlite Kid was cleverly surveying the situation from third, swung widest of all turning for home and collared the leaders a sixteenth out and then on to victory.

Starlite Kid, a 6-year-old altered son of Badlands Hanover, won for the third time this semester in 13 starts and in a new lifetime mark. Trained by Tony Kavoleff for Alex Kavoleff, Starlite Kid now boasts lifetime earnings of $172,087 — $18,613 so far in 2016. He rewarded his backers with an $80 win mutuel.

Racing continues on Monday night with Natural Herbie looking to defend his crown in the $15,000 Open Handicap Trot. Oho Diamond and Wind Of The North are expected to provide the main competition with Auspicious Hanover, Midnite Craze, Striking Ivy and Diamond Dagger completing the talented field. Post time is 7:30 p.m.