Northern Companion resumed his winning ways at Pompano Park with a sharp 1:51.3 performance in the $10,000 Open Pace on Saturday night.
Driver Rob Hoffman sent the five-year-old son of Cambest alertly off the gate from the rail and allowed McSocks, handled by Bruce Ranger, to seize the lead a few steps out and take the field to an opening quarter of :27.2. Just a stride or two prior to the opener, Hoffman pulled the trigger and sent his charge to the top. Northern Companion carved out panels of :56.1 and 1:23.3 before sprinting home in :28 straight to record the win measuring a half-length over McSocks. Woodmere Ultimate and Kevin Wallis were next followed by the Rick Plano-driven Oozies Bad Boy and Village Jackson in rein to Wally Hennessey.
Ironically, Northern Companion’s final quarter was the slowest in the field of five, with McSocks carding a final panel of :27.4 and the other three all clocked in :27.3 but unable to fully dent the winner’s protective shield of a length turning for home.
In a post-race interview, Hoffman was generally pleased with 'Buddy’s performance.
“It was a pretty good performance considering the coolness in the air (temperature in the upper 50's) and this horse really does his best from off the pace, but in a short field I didn’t want to let anyone else control the pace and get away with something," he said. "When this horse is on the front end he likes to play ‘cat and mouse’ with the others. He responded very nicely when I asked him for a bit more late.”
Trained by Howard Klohr for owner Dorothy Zarza, 'Buddy' won for the fourth time in six 2013 starts sending his yearly bounty to $21,250. He’s banked $122,677 lifetime. Northern Companion paid $3 to win.
Sunday night racing begins with a March 3 program and continues throughout the month with post time remaining at 7:05 p.m.
(With files from Pompano Park)