The FSBOA highly anticipated and lucrative Florida stakes program got underway at Pompano Park on Saturday and the non-wagering nine-race program took a page from baseball’s World Series with a multitude of doubles, triples and even a grand slam to kick off the festivities.
The grand slam belonged to Wally Hennessey, who had four wins on the program, while Mike Simons had the triple. Trainers Rod Lorenzo, Kim Sears and George Coblentz had training doubles. Laurie Poulin also had a grand slam in the breeder category.
And despite the stiff winds and sporadic rain showers, there were several noteworthy performances on the nine race program.
Below is a recap of the action.
TWO-YEAR-OLD FILLY TROT
Prairie Virtue, a daughter of Shibboleth Hanover driven by Mike Simons, won an all-out war with Ifnotmwho, earning a maiden victory in 2:02.3—the margin a scant neck featuring a :28.3 final panel by the winner.
It was a tug of war as Ifnotmewho left the gate early, yielded at the opener to the eventual winner, who herself yielded three-eighths into the mile. Around the final bend, Prairie Virtue left he cozy pocket to engage in war through the lane and eked by at the wire.
West Haven (John Campagnuolo) was third in the mile while Bob’s Legacy was next.
Ciao Bella was placed fifth to pick up the final award.
Bred by Laurie Poulin, who co-owns with Mary Martin, Prairie Virtue is trained by Lisa Martin.
TWO-YEAR-OLD COLT/GELDING TROT
Driver Mike Simons swept the “early daily double” of sorts by guiding Nick Coblentz’Shulda Hada Drink to a 17-length win in 2:01.2 in an impressive first start to kick off his racing career.
Also by Shibboleth Hanover, the gelding was out-sprinted at the opening by Ifnotnowwhen (Wally Hennessey) and was content to let that one cut the mustard into the final bend before sweeping by as the leader made a miscue.
From there Shulda Hada Drink widened his margin to the wire. Jo Jo Jet (Alessandro Spano) was second with Ifnotnowwhen third. Seeking Matthew and Prairie Lazuli picked up the final awards.
The winner is trained by George Coblentz and was also bred by Laurie Poulin.
TWO-YEAR-OLD FILLY PACE
Sheza Terror, with Wally Hennessey in her bike, was a gate-to-wire winner in 1:59.3, highlighted by a :28.4 finale after cutting panels of :29.2, 1:00.3 and 1:30.4.
The daughter of Western Terror earned her second win in six starts to pin a two-length win on Ms Rodeo Drive (Dave Ingraham) with Gator Babe (Mike Simons) next. Sparkyfareyouwell and Prairie Cheetah completed the order of finish.
Trained by Rod Lorenzo, who co-owns with Souren Hovsepian, Sheza Terror picked up her second win—the first being at Scioto Downs in 1:55. The winning owners also
have bragging rights as the breeders.
TWO-YEAR-OLD FILLY PACE (2nd Division)
Prairie Sweetness, with Wally Hennessey handling her lines, made her first appearance a winning won, carving fractions of :30.4, 1:01 and 1:31.2 before a :28.3 sprint home sealed a photo finish win over a game KKs Dream Girl (Corey Braden) in 2:00.
The juvenile daughter of Royel Millennium was confronted once turning for home and the pair raced side-by-side all the way home in the slugfest. Rocks Stormyd (Marshall Makin) was third followed by Princess Royal and Prairie Dutchess.
The winner was bred by Laurie Poulin, who co-owns with trainer Mike Deters.
TWO-YEAR-OLD COLT/GELDING PACE
Mister David C gave Wally Hennessey his consecutive triple, scoring with yet another son of Royel Millennium, stopping the timer in 1:59.4 in his maiden victory. Away in good order third early, Mister David C made a quarter move to the front, repelled a bid from Lucky Ramsey (Fern Paquet, Jr.) around the final bend and through the lane, to score by a neck.
Theflyingrock (Mike Simons), bothered at the start, was, indeed, flying at the end of the mile to finish third just a length away.
The early leader Buddha Beach was fourth while Hey Don’t Tell Me pickedd up the final award.
Also bred by Lauren Poulin, Mister David C is trained by Tony Dinges for owners Fred Grant and the Birnam Farm.
THREE-YEAR-OLD FILLY TROT
Callin On Sunday, yet another offspring of Shibboleth Hanover, proved that manners matter by scoring a wire-to-wire win for Mike Simons in 1:59.2—her first victory.
Leading every step of her mile, Callin On Sunday, owned and trained by George Coblentz, carved panels of :29.2, :58.3 and 1:29.1 before coasting home in :30.1 for the score measuring 26 lengths.
Prairie Delight, who made a miscue halfway through the mile, was second while Brasen Bo went up in the air at the start to complete the order of finish.
Nick Coblentz bred the winner.
THREE-YEAR-OLD COLT/GELDING TROT
Last year’s Super Night Champion Rhinestone Cowboy, handled by Mike Micallef, took advantage of a miscue by the leader turning for home and went on to a two-length victory in a lifetime-best 2:01.2, this in his inaugural start of his 2020 campaign.
The gelded son of Proud Bushy was away in good order and sat in the garden spot throughout the journey before inheriting the lead when Prairie Gold Mine made a miscue once straightened away.
Prairie Romeo (Corey Braden) rallied for second while YD Dream Machine (Dave
Ingraham) finished third in the quartet.
The winner is trained by Kim Sears, who co-owns with John Campagnuolo. Bred by Kathy Bove, Rhinestone Cowboy now has a lifetime card reading 8-3-2-3, good for over $46,000 and change.
THREE-YEAR-OLD FILLY PACE
Laurie Lee, last year’s Super Night winner in her juvenile class, kicked off her
sophomore year with a sharp 1:58.2 win for Wally Hennessey, completing his grand
slam performance in the sulky.
This daughter of Royel Millenium stalked the pacesetting Gold Star Igotdis through fractions of :30.4, 1:00.2 and 1:29.4 before forging to the lead when the leader went up in the air turning for home.
Her :28.2 finale held off the fast closing Molly McGator (Mike Simons) by a length with Alil Touch Of Pink next. Gold Star I Gotdis did pick up the final award in the quartet. Bred By Jay Sears, Laurie Lee, named after top breeder Laurie Lee Poulin, is trained by Kim Sears, who co-owns with Richard Dunmire.
Laurie Lee now has a bankroll of $51,875.
THREE-YEAR-OLD COLT/GELDING PACE
Surviving an interference call halfway through the mile, Hurrikanekingjames, a son of So Surreal, posted a handy 1:56.4 win measuring five-and-a-half lengths for Carl Garofalo.
A $100,000 plus winner last season at two, Hurrikanekingjames earned his 10th win—his third this season—opening daylight on the backside and coasting home uninterrupted with a :29.3 final panel.
Prairie Valentine (Dave Ingraham) was second followed by Goldstar Buniholly (Corey Braden).
Repeal Or Replace, who led through the opening half, made a miscue into the second turn but took fourth over Shudahadahunemoon.
The winner gave Rod Lorenzo a training double and sent the sophomore’s earnings to $142,065 for Jonathan Kell Racing, Kuhen Racing and George Vierno. Hurrikanekingjames was bred by Our Horse Cents Stable.
Sunshine State Stakes racing continues next Saturday, October 31, with post time at 12 p.m. (EDT).
(FSBOA)