by John Berry, for Pompano Park

Pompano Beach, FL — Thundercrest, handled by Dave Ingraham, eked out a narrow victory in Pompano Park’s top trot on Wednesday night (May 2), stopping the timer in 1:55.4, equaling his lifetime best performance.

The ultra-consistent 5-year-old gelded son of Crest got up in the very last stride to edge by a stubborn Up The Alley, driven by Dewayne Minor — the winning margin being a head. Boli, beginning from the outside nine post for driver Wally Hennessey, finished third while Railee Workable finished fourth. Overnight Shipper picked up the nickel in the classy field of nine.

Skip Smith photo

Thundercrest eked out a narrow win in 1:55.4 at Pompano Park on Wednesday night.

As the wing folded, Thundercrest, leaving from Pompano Park’s coveted post five, was away sharply along with Up The Alley and Midnite Craze with this trio all in search of the top spot early. Boli was also outside and looking for an improved place but at the opening station in :28.4 over a somewhat dull racing oval, it was Thundercrest on top with Up The Alley in the garden spot and Midnite Craze on the attack and pressing forward.

Midnite Craze was able to wrestle the lead around turn two and was two lengths clear at the half in a picked up :56.4. On the backside, Up The Alley surged from third and brushed forward, taking the lead from Midnite Craze past the third marker in 1:26.4 with Thundercrest ready to pounce from the pocket and Boli second over.

In the lane, the war between Up The Alley and Thundercrest really heated up as these two sprinted hard to the wire with Thundercrest’s :28.3 individual finale getting the job done.

After the race, the humble Dave Ingraham related, “This horse races good just about every start. He’s handy, he’s got gate speed, he can relax, he’s got the go power late and he’s got a winning attitude. A big part of this win took place a few days before when he drew the five post and the others, especially Wally’s trotter (Boli) drew outside of us.”

Trained by Dave’s son, Dustin Ingraham, for owner Mike Richards, Thundercrest now sports a 7-4-3 scorecard in 18 starts, good for $43,835. The win also pushed his career bankroll to $101,581. Off as the even-money favorite on the toteboard, Thundercrest paid $4.20 to win.

The companion event carded as an Open III, went to the rugged mare Diamond Dagger, driven by Bryce Fenn. This 8-year-old daughter of ABC Garland was outside and grinding forward just about every step of the mile — in her case a mile and 20 yards — to score in 1:56.3. Prairie Diamonds, with Dewayne Minor in the bike, finished second, two lengths away, while Kegler Hanover, who cut all the panels for Dave Ingraham, finished third. Vicki All and William Star picked up the minor awards in the field of nine. The 1-5 toteboard favorite, Modern Mercury, made a miscue at the start and finished sixth.

In a post-race interview, driver Bryce Fenn said, “This is the first time I’ve driven this mare and Mark (trainer O’Mara) said she’s not afraid to take some air. The fractions were comfortable for her and she just kept churning away until she got to the front turning for home. She did this all on her own. All I did was steer. After we got back from the winner’s circle, Mark thanked me for driving her. Heck, I thanked him right back for letting me drive a mare of this quality.”

Owned by trainer O’Mara along with Paul Johnson and Melvin Schmucker, Diamond Dagger evened-up her scorecard at 3-3-3 in 14 starts and now sports $31,880 this semester and $266,062 lifetime. Off as third choice at 7-1, Diamond Dagger returned $17.60 to her faithful.

Diamond Dagger’s win also closed out the track’s Pick-5 for the night with nary a single ticket on the 5-2-5-6-8 combo resulting in a carryover of $4,707, thus the track will offer a $20,000 guarantee on the Pick-5 for Sunday. Post time is set for 7:20 p.m.