Two-year-old pacing filly Cracker Coffee has suddenly made herself a major focal point of interest for the Florida Standardbred Breeders And Owners Association (FSBOA) 'Super Night 2011' set for November 5
. The precoscious rookie daughter of Six Of Diamonds-Nasty As Can Be is the only horse still eligible for this year's $100,000 bonus offered for any two-year-old able to sweep all five stakes events staged by the FSBOA.
In the $20,850 FSBOA Sale Stake on Wednesday evening, October 19 at The Isle Casino Racing Pompano Park, Cracker Coffee was sent to the top by regular pilot Wally Hennessey in :27.4 over the track rated fast, but which had been dulled by almost four straight days of rain in South Florida. Rating the half in :59.3, Cracker Coffee was under pressure from Racin For Gold, in rein to Bruce Ranger, to the final turn in 1:28.2. Late in the stretch, Quail shook loose for driver Jay Sears but could only get to within a length when the wire arrived in 1:57.3. Gold Star Gidget converted a second over trip for third for driver Mike Micallef and Racin For Gold held in for fourth.
Kim Sears trains Cracker Coffee for her developer and owner Phil Peavyhouse of South Lyon, Michigan. Peavyhouse qualified the filly at Hazel Park in June, and since her arrival in July into the Sears barn she's never finished worse than second in her eight starts to date. The six figure bonus will be awarded to the connections of Cracker Coffee if she can capture the Breeders' Stake for state bred two-year-old pacing fillies on the November 5 Florida Super Night program.
The weekly Open Handicap Trot attracted a field of 10 starters for the October 19 edition. Keystone Thomas was ordered to the outside post position and overcame that by making the front in :27.3, rating the half in :58, holding off Hesgotlegs, in rein to Dan Clements, in 1:26.3 to the three-quarters and digging in to win in 1:56.3. The pocket-sitting Ontario invader, Smokin Dabra, with Norm Dessereault in the bike, made his first start on lasix and held the place spot and Hesgotlegs survived the first over try for third. Aruba Vacation appeared to be blocked in traffic in late stretch and was a close fourth with Fern Paquet Jr. in the bike.
It was the 10th win in 24 trips this year for Keystone Thomas, trained by Stewart Nemiro of the Ranger Stable for Pompano Beach owner Fred Monteleone. The winner's share of the $13,200 purse pushed the 2011 earnings to $75,660 for Keystone Thomas.
Because of a charity run in support of breast cancer research at the track on Saturday morning, October 22, qualifying races this week at the South Florida plant are moved up to Friday for this week only.
Post time at Pompano is 7:05 p.m. EST every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday. Tuesday racing returns on November 22 when the four nights per week schedule takes effect through March of 2012 at The Winter Capital Of Harness Racing.
(Pompano Park)