Pompano Beach, FL — Toy’s For You and Prairie Westerngal took top honors at Pompano on Tuesday night (March 16) as each proved victorious in their respective Open events.

Toy’s For You scored in Pompano Park’s trotting feature on Tuesday. Dee Leftwich photo.

Toy’s For You, in the capable hands of owner-trainer Rick Plano, continued his march up the ladder by extending his winning streak to four in the $11,500 Open Handicap Trot, using a :27.4 burst home to score in 1:53.3, edging by the slight favorite In Secret (David Miller) by a half-length. Serenity Cruise (John MacDonald) finished third after a pocket-sitting journey throughout.

It was In Secret charging to the front off the wings and sawing off panels of :27.3 and a comfortable :57 through the opening half with Serenity Cruise in the pocket, BJ Lorado next with Classicality, Toy’s For You and Timon AS trailing. Things began to heat up on the backside as the warrior Classicality made his first bid and Toy’s For You catching his live cover flow.

Turning for home, In Secret fought off Classicality and Serenity Cruise charged on through but neither could hold off the furious surge to Toy’s For You, who posted his sixth win of the year in eight starts.

Said Plano after the race, “You know, he’s getting quite handy these days. He’s won on the engine and off the pace and come around very nicely. He’s got quite a motor and can sprint home pretty much the same if he’s on the lead or off the pace. He’s climbed the ladder and I am proud of his performances lately. Of course, horses aren’t machines so we all have to enjoy the moments while he’s this sharp.”

Toy’s For You, a 5-year-old gelded son of Airzoom Lindy, has earned $21,950 in this young season, already eclipsing last year’s total. As the slight second choice at 6-5, Toy’s For You returned $4.40 to his multitude of faithful.

In the $11,000 Open pace for the mares, Prairie Westerngal zipped off the wings for Wally Hennessey and blazed an opening panel of :26.3 before a :30 breather brought the 5-year-old daughter of Western Ideal to the half in :56.3. From there, she paced subsequent quarters of :28.1 and :28 to hit the wire in 1:52.4, holding off Casie’s Believer (Joe Chindano Jr.) by three-parts of a length. Crisp Mane (David Miller) was next after being in the garden spot much of the way.

Remarked Hennessey after the event, “Let me tell you, she has lightning speed off the gate and Mike (trainer Deters) has her really sharp. One of her great qualities is her ability to relax a bit after making the top spot. When we got over to the half, I was confident in her ability to get us home. Give credit where the credit is due — the trainer and caretaker. I was just a passenger.”

The win was the second of the semester for Prairie Westerngal, who is co-owned by Deters along with breeder Laurie Poulin and Fritz Racing. The win also extended her streak of earning a check to 25 races. Off as the 4-5 favorite, Prairie Westerngal paid $3.80 to win.

The $10,000 Open II Trot went in an upset to Northern Skyway with David Miller in the sulky — one of a trio of wins for Miller — in a lifetime best 1:54.2. The 6-year-old gelded son of Guccio, trained by Jim Dunn for owner William Mc Elvain, rallied after a first over backside bid, taking command at mid-stretch and then holding off the favored Sooo Handsome (Rick Plano) to score by a bit less than a length. Cantab Lindy (John MacDonald) was next after cutting panels of :27.2, :57.3 and 1:25.2.

Northern Skyway earned his 25th career win, sending his lifetime bankroll to $222,563 and rewarded his backers with a $24.60 mutuel.

Finally, the $10,000 Open II Pace for the ladies went to Evas Sports Czech for trainer-driver Ken Holliday, who co-owns with Trish Soulsby. The 5-year-old daughter of Sportsmaster circled up just after the opening quarter in :27.2 and proceeded on through fractions of :55.4 and 1:23.3 to score by a length in 1:52.3 over the late charging Persistent Bettor (Kevin Wallis) with the early leader Rock N Roll Rosie (David Miller) third.

Evas Sports Czech, off as the popular 4-5 choice, paid $3.60 to win.

Racing continues on Thursday night with a guaranteed Pick-4 pool and a low 12 percent takeout on that offering and a Super Hi-5 jackpot which has blossomed to $76,339.13. Thursday post time is set for 7:20 p.m.