Maryann Plano's Premier, trained and driven by husband Rick Plano, pulled off a 19-1 shocker at Pompano Park on Saturday night, scoring a photo finish victory in the $10,000 Open Pace in 1:52.1.
The 6-5 toteboard favourite, Cruizin K C, driven by Mark O'Mara, was a neck back of the winner with the late-charging Electric Lad and Jason Dillander teaming up for third at 37-1. McGreat finished fourth in the mile with Legal Dream, making his 2014 debut, fifth after a menacing move on the backside.
Premier, a seven-year-old altered son of Artsplace, primarily known for his successes in gate-to-wire fashion, again used his blistering early speed to take command as the gate's wings folded. But this time around, he got some cover after a :27.2 opener as McGreat, driven by Kevin Wallis, took command shortly after that initial quarter and took the field through subsequent panels of :54.4 and 1:22.4.
During that third quarter with McGreat on top by a length and a half, Premier was cozily biding his time in the garden spot with Legal Dream on the attack on the outside and Whos Your Maddy making a double-bubble move briefly putting Cruizin K C in a blindswitch and Electric Lad hugging the pylons in fifth.
Turning for home, McGreat drifted out a bit allowing Premier the room he needed to rally with Cruizin K C widest of all and Electric Lad pinching on through the inside.
In a dramatic finish, Premier, though now surrounded by challengers, eked out the narrow decision for his third win in seven starts this year -- his bankroll now at $20,990 this year and $147,633 lifetime. The win was his 31st in his 99th career start.
"We got a great journey tonight, especially getting cover through some demanding fractions," said Rick Plano in a post-race interview. "He's a game one, alright. He tries every step of the mile. The only thing I am disappointed about is that I didn't bet $10 on him myself!"
Not many patrons did as Premier was the second longest shot on the board and returned $40.80 to win, keying a trifecta that paid $1,002 for a $2 investment.
With that result, Sunday night's Pick 5 begins with a carryover, thus adding yet another dimension to the highly anticipated match between Bruce Ranger and Rick Plano in the second round of the $20,000 Championship Drivers Challenge.
(With files from Pompano Park)