A humid 79 degree (26 C.) brought forth a night of speed on Saturday, January 30 at The Isle Casino Racing at Pompano Park - and speediest of all, not only for the evening but also for the entire 2009-2010 meet to date - was McRyan Michael
.
In an $8,500 purse conditioned pace early on the 16 race double card agenda, Joe Pavia Jr. sat the five-year-old Mannart Howard-Quadzzena gelding in the pocket as Arizona Helen, with George Napolitano Jr., carved out fractions of :26.2, :54.3, and 1:22.2. Before the heading of the stretch, McRyan Michael was tipping to the outside to stroll away to a life's mark of 1:50.2. Hot Rum, with Kevin Wallis, in tow finished fourth but was placed up to third because of an interference call against the original show position finisher, Power Park.
For the current meet, which began September 19, the 1:50.2 clocking by McRyan Michael eclipsed the season's earlier fastest miles of 1:51 by Prime Time Talent and Mai Tai Guy. Joe Pavia Jr. also conditions the career winner of 14 races for over $147,000 in purses.
"He's a Florida bred that came into my barn after a private purchase from Jay Sears," Pavia said after the race. "In his first start for me over a year ago he made a break because he was hitting the bike, but then he came right back to win a $63,000 stakes race. Tonight when that :54.3 half flashed up I knew we were in great shape and it's good to see this horse get a fast mark. He's been a really good addition to our operation."
A context for just how special the effort by McRyan Michael was came in the very next race as the $20,000 Open Pace was timed in 1:52.1. Cammabis racked up his third straight win in the top weekly pacing class event in South Florida. The seven-year-old Cambest-Majestic Lady gelding blasted to the front with Anthony Napolitano in tow in :26.3 and then surrendered the point to Vapor In The Wind, with Ricky Macomber Jr., before the half of :54.2. In the third quarter, Ray Vizzi sent Four Starz Bling first over to battle Vapor In The Wind to the third marker of 1:23.0. Into the stretch, Cammabis found a seam on the cones late to squeeze through for the top prize. Daley Deposit Only, in rein to Dan Daley, had been lurking second over and was closing hard for the runner-up spot and Vapor In The Wind held third. Cammabis is trained by Paul Holzman for Fred Reitberger of Boca Raton.
A $20,000 purse Open Handicap Trot also went to the gate on Saturday night at The Isle with Andover America and Bruce Ranger taking a narrow decision in 1:55.1. Tom Cango, in rein to Trevor Ritchie, brushed to the front just after the :28.1 first quarter and held the top through the middle stages of :57.3 and 1:26.1. Heading into the final turn, Andover America vaulted out of his position from third in line to go on and gradually edge by Tom Cango by mid-stretch. Mr Tasty, with Dan Clements in the bike, fanned widest for the show position.
Andover America, a five-year-old Andover Hall-Armbro Array gelding, joined the parade of Saturday night winners taking a life's mark. Stewart Nemiro trains the career winner of $137,000 for McTrade Enterprises of Davie, Florida.
Live racing resumes on Monday, February 1 at 7:05 p.m.
(Pompano Park)