The special $20,000 Invitational carded on February 26 at The Isle Casino Racing Pompano Park for track record holder Delivered From Zin may have looked like a foregone conclusion
and an anti-climax when he stopped the clock with lengths to spare in 1:49.1. However, it wasn't as much of a certainty as it may have appeared to be, according to driver George Napolitano Jr.
"He wasn't quite as good tonight as last week when he set the track record [of 1:48.4]," Napolitano explained in the post race live TV interview. "Last week [February 19] the track was like a billiard table and perfect for speed but tonight it felt like it had more sand and fine material on top. That's not a complaint or criticism that we had a bit more cushion on the track. I'm glad he got the track record and this horse loves to win but he has his quirks and can be quite labour intensive to drive. His starts aren't always silky smooth and he can put in a step on you when you least expect it," Napolitano added.
The win on February 26 will be the last appearance in South Florida for the eight-year-old Sealed N Delivered-Zinful gelding, trained by Christie Collins, for the foreseeable future. Drive All Night, in rein to Anthony Napolitano, brushed up for second and pocket-sitter Four Starz Bling, with Bruce Ranger in tow, finished third. Owner Joel Benson of Ft. Lauderdale explains his horse will next hit the track at The Meadowlands.
"As a relative newcomer to the business only in it for less than five years as an owner, I certainly never expected to get a horse that would set a track record from a $30,000 claim," Benson said. "I do anticipate it will be a bit tricky to get him classified right at The Meadowlands. My hope is the race office there will take him in a higher claimer, perhaps $75,000. We'll see how he does and make our decisions from there," Benson added.
The Saturday night dominant score at Pompano was the 37th career win for Delivered From Zin and pushed his lifetime bankroll over the $300,000 mark. Over $184,000 of that was earned in 2010 when he won 20 of 33 starts. He departs Pompano with five wins from seven starts thus far in 2011.
Benson also disclosed the first details of a new venture he is unveiling at Sunday evening's United States Harness Writers Association Dan Patch Awards gala in Fort Lauderdale, which will be streamed live on www.ustrotting.com. Aimed at helping harness racing participants take their business electronic and paperless, Benson's endeavour will soon be unveiled at www.stabletracker.com.
(Pompano Park)