by John Berry, for Pompano Park

Pompano Beach, FL — Track record holder Panocchio headlines a strong Pompano program on Sunday night (Oct. 8) as the 7-year-old altered son of No Pan Intended returns to the scene of his 1:48.3 track mark.

Trained by Jim Mattison, who co-owns with Emile Johnson, Jr., Panocchio headlines the Open I Pace against Sing For Me George and Toatsmygoats, one-two in last week’s open on opening night.

Panocchio has banked $463,643 coming into the action on the strength of 54 wins in 132 career starts with 32 of those victories achieved over Pompano Park’s five-eighths mile oval.

Says trainer Jim Mattison, “He’s quite an amazing horse. He usually trains no faster than 2:20 or 2:30 when we do train him but, when we put the sulky on him and hit hits the track and sees the (starting) gate, he’s a different horse.

“I trained him the other day in the rain and he was almost saying to me, ‘I don’t want any part of this. Get me back home! At the barn he’s just a pleasure to be around. He loves kids and he’ll put his head on your shoulder–just a pleasure!”

Panocchio will have the driving services of Hall of Famer Wally Hennessey, who is off to his usual quick start at the track with 13 wins in his first 25 drives and a UDRS of .640.

He will leave from post four in his very talented field.

Sing For Me George, post two, got a heady drive from John MacDonald to score in last week’s Open Pace.

This 8-year-old son of Bettor’s Choice, trained by Paul Bernardo for owner Joe Martinella, Sr., overcame the outside eight post with a bold early move to secure a garden journey, leaving the coziness of his pocket in the lane and wearing down Toatsmygoats (Brady Galliers) in the final stages of the mile.

Toatsmygoats will leave from post three on Sunday night with the sharp invader Bestinthebusiness (post one), Frankie’s Dragon (post five), Fritzie Pic Up Man (post six) and Team Captain (post seven) rounding out the talented field with combined earnings of well over $2 million.

The FSBOA sponsored Sunshine State Stakes will also be contested as the Florida Bred 2-year-olds take the spotlight in four non-wagering events beginning at 6:00 p.m.

Post time for the pari-mutuel card is 7:20 with Super Hi-5 carryover of close to $3,000 offered on the final race.