With Mother Nature cooperating and no rain for the second straight week, the Sunshine Stakes for Florida-sired Standardbreds went off without a hitch Saturday at Sunshine Meadows Equestrian Village in Delray Beach, Florida.
There were eight stakes races for two and and three-year-old trotters and pacers with purses totaling more than $25,000. The race are sponsored by the Florida Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association.
The track was rated "good" with a one-second allowance because of rain during the early morning hours.
The thriller of the day happened in the $3,500 seven race pace for three-year-old fillies as Limelight stole the spotlight for driver Tom Sells with a 1:57.1 victory. That mile was the fastest of the two days of fair racing.
Heather and driver Bob Roberts were caught three-wide to the opening quarter mile in :28.3 as Lightlight also had to go on the outside when Voluminous (Bruce Ranger) made a break. Heather then led the field to the half in :57.2 and the three-quarters in 1:27. It was then that Sells came after the lead with Limelight and they tore away from the rest of the field to win by four open lengths.
The win was the fourth this year for the Cracking Light daughter, who trained by Rosie Huff for the Beauty Bridle Racing Stable of South Amboy, New Jersey.
Markie made it an impressive two-for-two in 2014 with her second straight win in the $3,300 three-year-old filly trot. Driven by Bob Roberts, Markie was parked to the early lead and just like last week, she pulled away from everyone and went on to win by 23 lengths in 2:00.1.
The win was the daughter of Proud Bushy’s fifth straight for Kim and Jay Sears of Osteen, Florida, who also bred the filly.
Other winners on the program were: Railee Workable (Mickey McNichol) in the $3,450 two-year-old colt trot in 2:03.3; Livy M (Tom Sells) captured the $3,150 two-year-old filly trot in 2:07.3; and Gold Star Dynasty (Walter Ross Jr.) took the $3,200 two-year-old filly pace in 2:01.1.
The $2,500 pace for two-year-old colts was captured by Caesars Forum (Bruce Ranger) in 2:00.3; the $2,900 three-year-old colt trot was won by Showing Off (Bob Roberts) in 2:01; and the second fastest mile on the card saw Gold Star Kenny P (Mickey McNichol) win the $2,800 three-year-old colt pace in 1:59.3.
The Sunshine Stakes now move on to the third leg at the Isle Pompano Park on their opening night, Saturday, October 4.
(Sunshine Meadows Equestrian Village)