DGs Caviar, the five-year-old son of Prime Time Caviar, had his ducks all in a "roe" on Tuesday night (Nov. 9) at Pompano Park as he overcame the outside eight post to score a hard-earned win in the $14,200 Open Trot.
Trainer Andy Shetler was, once again, in his sulky for owner Daniel Graber and went gnawing away in the final lap to score by a length in 1:54.1. The Lionking AS (Kevin Wallis) was second after cutting much of the mile while Cant Say No (Wally Hennessey) was next after taking the top spot off the wings before yielding early on. BJ Lorado and Obertto also earned awards in the classy million dollar field.
As the gate left the station, DGs Caviar, while unable to leave in full flight as the aforementioned duo battled early along with BJ Lorado -- that trio securing spots one, two and three.
But DGs Caviar did show a bit of speed off the wings to settle in fifth -- briefly -- before moving to the outside under the wire the first time to begin gnawing away. After the :27.2 opener, The Lionking AS clipped off a half in :56.4 and drew alongside the leader at the third station in a picked up 1:25.1. These two battled valiantly down the lane with DGs Caviar squeaking to the lead in the final sixteenth of the mile.
In a post race interview, Shetler remarked, "You know, he was off for eight months due to a serious injury and we slowly nursed him back to health with shockwave therapy and the water treadmill. He had given us some great miles right here at Pompano in (1):53 and (1):53.1 and deserved the very best treatment to get him back in top shape.
"He went a big trip tonight, despite the outside -- which he seems to draw a lot -- and it sure is great to have him in our care. He's just a superior equine athlete."
For DG's Caviar, it was his fourth win of the year in 13 starts and sent his 2021 bounty to $39,375 and $157,450 lifetime.
As the 6-5 toteboard favourite, DGs Caviar paid $4.40 to win.
The $12,600 co-featured Open II Trot went to Just Maybe The One, with Wally Hennessey driving, making amends from last week's event where he crossed the line first but was disqualified after leaving the course after a miscue around the final bend.
This time around, though starting from the outside nine post, this six-year-old gelded son of Donato Hanover secured the top spot around the opening turn and went on to saw off panels of :27.3 and :57 before thwarting any threats with a :28.2 third quarter and then coasting home in :29.1 to score by 1-1/4 lengths over the 13-year-old warrior Cantab Lindy (Ken Holliday) with Baby Maker Hanover (Kevin Wallis) third after an "even-steven" effort. Lucky Sevens and Trix And Stones were next in the field of nine.
Trained by Tee Wine for the Wine Stable, Just Maybe The One sent his yearly scorecard to 9-5-3 in 28 starts to send his bankroll for 2021 to $71,827 and $146,504 lifetime.
Off at 3-5, Just Maybe The One paid $3.20 to his multitude of faithful.
Hennessey had a driving double on the Tuesday card, as did Joe Chindano Jr. and Fern Paquet Jr.
Hennessey kicked off the festivities by scoring with Modern Day Prince ($3.80) while Chindano made visits to the winner's circle with Capital T Storm ($3.80) and Gerard (also $3.80).
Paquet reached the charmed circle with A Wish For Wings ($13.80) and Majoring Artist ($5.60).
Racing continues on Sunday with a Pick-6 carryover, a guarantee on the Pick-4 with that industry low 12 per cent takeout and a carryover approaching $10,000 on the Super Hi-5 finale. Post time is set for 7:20 p.m. as racing continues of a Sunday-Monday-Tuesday schedule.
(Pompano Park)