Delray Beach, FL — Harness racing returned to South Florida on Saturday (Nov. 5) as the Florida Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association (FSBOA) presented the opening leg of the Sunshine State Stakes at Sunshine Meadows Equestrian Village.

The eight race program featured 2-year-olds and 3-year-olds with a mixture of juveniles — some making their initial career starts — and seasoned sophomores looking to extend their success stories of last year.

Here are the results:

Two-Year-Old Filly Trot—Legacy’s Jailbreak (Dontyouforgetit), making her first lifetime start, scored an impressive win in 2:03, highlighted by a last half in :59. Mike Simons was in the sulky for owner-trainer Nick Coblentz. Kings Sweetheart (Big Chocolate) was second for Kevin Wallis while Pixie Jet (Odino Jet), driven by Matt Krueger, was next in the septet.

Two-Year-Old Colt/Gelding Trot—Getinthecarchuckie (Class Included), who began his season at Hoosier Park with an 0-for-11 scorecard with four third place finishes, zipped off the wings for Mike Simons and clocked panels of :29.3, 1:00 and 1:31.4 en route to a one length victory over Prairie Nugget (Shibboleth Hanover), handled by Tony Dinges, in 2:03.4. Seminole Moon (Shibboleth Hanover), with Matt Krueger in the bike, was third. The winning gelding is also trained by Nick Coblentz for the Twoforone Stable and Kevin Kelly giving Simons and Coblentz an early (non-wagering) daily double sweep.

Two-Year-Old Filly Pace—“Prairie” fillies dominated this event as Prairie Special (Royel Millennium) romped home a handy winner over Prairie Lynx (Royel Millennium) and Prairie Magical (Royel Millennium). Prairie Special, driven by trainer Tony Dinges, covered the mile distance in 2:00.4–:59 for her maiden win, although she does have a qualifying win in 1:57.1. Prairie Lynx, who made a huge quarter move after a miscue leaving, took charge halfway through for Andy Santeramo and was four lengths away on the line. Prairie Magical was handled by Bob Harper and was the early leader. She already owns a 1:55 pari-mutuel win at Tioga Downs.

Two-Year-Old Colt/Gelding Pace—Gator Forty Five (McArdle) used a huge late rally for Bob Harper to score a one length decision over Constant Velocity (Keystone Velocity), with Mike Simons in his bike in a mile timed in 2:00.1. The pacesetting Easy As That (Tarver Hanover) finished third for Tony Dinges. It was a maiden win for Gator Forty Five, who is trained by Mickey McNichol for George and Mary Birkhold.

Three-Year-Old Filly Trot—G’s Independence (Big Chocolate) last season’s Super Night champion at Pompano Park, never had an anxious moment for owner-trainer-driver Justin Mullett and scored a 5-1/4 length win in 2:06.4 over a late charging Charis (Shibboleth Hanover), driven by Matt Krueger, in pushing her lifetime bounty over the $50,000 plateau. I’m Solar Powered (Desperado Don) was third for Marc Major, the latter benefitting from a rare walkover win last season.

Three-Year-Old Gelding Trot—Prince Of Sussex (Creatine) who swept all of his FSBOA Stakes races last season, was put to the test late and just did hold on to score by a scant nose in 2:03. Trainer Justin Mullett was in the sulky for owners Heather Wilder and Herman Brewer as a late charging Little John (Andover Hall) just missed for driver Matt Krueger. The early leader Gator Force (Dejarmbro) was third for Mickey McNichol.

Three-Year-Old Filly Pace—Come On Spank Me (Tellitlikeitis), last year’s Super Night winner in her juvenile class, showed her toughness in scoring in 1:58 — fastest mile of the day. Now trained by Tony Dinges for Burke Racing Stable and Weaver Bruscemi, they threw the kitchen sink at her this day but she re-rallied in deep stretch to score for Dinges by a length over a late surging Benicio (Six Of Diamonds) handled by Matt Krueger. Prairie Merida (Royal Millennium) with Dan Harvey in her sulky, was third after forging into the lead at mid-stretch. Come On Spank Me owns a 1:52 mark this season at Hoosier Park.

George Birkhold got his first lifetime win with Gator At The Well. Karli Shoop photo.

Three-Year-Old Gelding Pace—In a classic two horse match-race duel the final five-eighths of the mile, Gator At The Well (Well Said) out-dueled Vinnie V (Six Of Diamonds) to score by 2-1/4 lengths over his only rival in 2:05 as the skies began to open up. The winner was driven by 31-year-old George Birkhold, son of George C. L. Birkhold, making his first ever appearance in the sulky. In a post-race interview, Birkhold said, “This was quite a thrill for me and I could hear the fans rooting for me in the stretch. It was quite a feeling and one I will cherish for the ages!”

The Sunshine State Stakes program continues next Saturday (Nov. 12) with a similar eight race program expected.