by John Berry, for Pompano Park

Pompano Beach, FL — Uncle Hanover, handled by Andy Santeramo, captured the $15,000 Open Handicap Trot at Pompano Park on Tuesday night (April 17), stopping the timer in 1:55.1.

Skip Smith photo

Uncle Hanover took top honors in Pompano Park’s Open Trot on Tuesday night.

In a brave performance, the 6-year-old gelded son of Muscle Hill held off the furious late charge of Prairie Fortune, driven by Jim Meittinis, by a head with Midnite Craze, teamed up with Ivan Davies, 4-1/4 lengths away in third. Boli finished fourth after pressuring the leader the middle three-eighths of the journey while Thundercrest picked up the minor award in the field of 10.

As the wings folded, Uncle Hanover was sent out in search of the lead with Midnite Craze moving alongside around the opening bend — the latter taking command at the opener in a hot :27, but not for long. Not content with the pocket, Santeramo sent Uncle Hanover right back to the front as Midnite Craze yielded, only to feel the heat from Boli, who made a bold double-bubble move around the second turn heading over to the half, which was clocked in :57.3.

On the backside, Uncle Hanover and Boli engaged in all-out war with the two racing as a team past the third station in 1:26.2. Once they straightened away, Uncle Hanover began edging away from Boli but the threat from Prairie Fortune became more evident with every stride as that one kept gnawing away with his own final quarter in :28.1. On the wire, it took a photo finish to determine the winner with Uncle Hanover earning his third win of the semester in 13 starts and in a seasonal best time.

After the race, driver Santeramo related, “Barry (trainer Probber) has him sharp now — I mean razor sharp. He was very good in his last start over a somewhat off track so I expected good things from him tonight. I wasn’t disappointed, that’s for sure.”

Owned by Probber-Morse Racing along with the Unity Stable, Uncle Hanover sent his 2018 bounty to $27,264 and now has a career bankroll of $149,901. As the 2-1 favorite, Uncle Hanover paid $6.20 to win.

In a racing rarity in the event, a mother, father and son all competed in the event as Kelly Case, Dave Ingraham and their son, Dustin Ingraham, all participated with mom Case finishing highest among the three.

In the $9,600 conditioned-$25,000 optional claiming trot, M T Stables’ Fleetwood Hall, driven by Jim Hysell for trainer Miriam Toland, eked out a photo finish win in 1:57 over Jack Rules, with Andy Santeramo in his bike. Security Guard, handled by Dave Ingraham, finished third while Miss Flora and Railee Workable picked up the final awards in the field scratched down to nine.

In winning for the first time in only three starts this year, the 8-year-old altered son of Deweycheatemnhowe now has 19 career wins and $91,944 in bounty. Off as the fifth choice at 18-1, Fleetwood Hall paid $38.40 to win and keyed a 20-cent pentafecta payoff of $7,052.14.

Racing resumes on Sunday night with a Pick-5 carryover of $6,403 spawning a $25,000 guarantee. Also, there is a superfecta carryover of $5,752 going into Sunday’s first race superfecta. Post time is set for 7:20 p.m.