Hyperion Hanover, again the senior citizen in his field, took top honours for the second straight week in the featured Winner Over Pace at Pompano Park on Saturday night.
The 10-year-old gelded son of Camluck, handled by Andy Santeramo for trainer Jim McDonald and the S S G Stables, stopped the clock in 1:51.2 for his 44th career victory, pushing his lifetime bounty to $1,215,376. It was also his fastest winning performance since a 1:50 performance at Woodbine Racetrack in August of 2011.
Santeramo used similar tactics of a week ago by storming out of the gate with his charge and reaching the quarter in :27.4 before yielding to the mare Bombilla Hanover, handled by Bruce Ranger.
Bombilla cut the next two panels of :55 and 1:23.1, but Hyperion was out quickly turning for home, brushed by to take a clear lead and then held off the late charge of McGreat and Kevin Wallis to score by a length.
Avantage and Dave Ingraham teamed up for third with Kommander Hawk, Bombilla Hanover and Ricks Sign completing the order of finish.
The winner received much more respect at the betting windows this week, paying $5.40 to win after last week's $18.40 mutuel.
Driver Andy Santeramo had high praise for both Hyperion Hanover and trainer McDonald.
"Jimmy Mac has 'Hyperion' in rare form right now. He did everything I asked of him tonight and turning for home he sprinted like a feisty young colt. I mean, in the blink of an eye, he went by a very tough mare in 'Bombilla' and then he dug in late."
The other headline of the evening went to trainer Frank Petrelli, who had two training wins of the card with Claim Jumper, handled by Jamie Marra, and Juntique, with Dave Ingraham in the sulky. The win by Juntique was Petrelli's 777th lifetime training success.
(Pompano Park)