Rick Plano has recorded 6,896 driving wins during his illustrious career to go along with 3,766 training wins, but there was a first for Plano on Tuesday (February 6) at Pompano Park, as he set a world record with his homebred Sooo Handsome in a unique five-eighths mile dash over Pompano Park's five-eighths mile oval.
The five-year-old gelded son of Cash Hall went once around the slick track to hit the wire in 1:09.3, which eclipsed the former mark of 1:11, which was set by The Prowler at Georgian Downs on September 1, 2012.
Thundercrest, driven by Dave Ingraham, was gallant in defeat, one and a half lengths away, while Legend Field, with Corey Braden in the bike, finished third.
William Star was fourth while Railee Workable finished fifth.
Sooo Handsome was away third after the wings folded. Prayer Session took the field through an opening panel in :27.3 with Thundercrest right behind. That's when Plano tilted Sooo Handsome to the outside and forged to the front after a half in :55.1. From there, the issue was never in doubt, as Sooo Handsome sped his final eighth in :14.1 to crush the world record by almost two seconds.
In a post-race interview, Plano lamented, "this, especially, was a very satisfying win as this is a homebred that we've had from day one. He always seems to be on his game and, tonight, he has really on his game.”
Rick's wife, Maryann Plano, who owns Sooo Handsome, added, "I named him after my husband, because I think he's 'sooo handsome.' It's very exciting to have a world record holder in the family!'
For Sooo Handsome, it was his second win of the year to go along with a pair of seconds from four starts, good for $15,000 starting this young season. Lifetime, Sooo Handsome has banked $108,340 to go along with a three-year-old mark of 1:54.1.
Off as the 6-5 favourite, Sooo Handsome paid $4.60 to his multitude of followers.
Pompano racing will continue Wednesday night with a competitive 10-race program that features a Super Hi-5 carryover of $161,432.
Post time is set for 7:20 p.m.
(Pompano Park)