Pompano Park kicks off its 57th racing season on Sunday (November 8) with track record holder Panocchio and Sunshine State Stakes action highlighting the lofty 11-race program.
Panocchio, the rugged 10-year-old son of No Pan Intended, set his track record five seasons ago and has amassed 72 career wins -- 45 of those at Pompano Park --and $649,517 in earnings for trainer Jim Mattison, who co-owns with wife Vicki Mattison and Emile Johnson, Jr.
Reflecting on Panocchio’s success, trainer Jim Mattison said, “He (Panocchio) sure has been a blessing to us. There will never be another one like him, that’s for sure.”
Panocchio will not have an easy task on opening night as three of his competitors have sub-1:50 miles under their girths, including Bass Player (1:49.3), Maxdaddy Blue Chip (1:49.1) and B Like Cruiser (1:49), the latter having set his career mark just two starts back.
Hall of Fame driver Wally Hennessey will be teamed with Panocchio on Sunday night.
The FSBOA sponsored Sunshine State Stakes will also be contested on Sunday with two year-olds in action.
Sheza Terror, a daughter of Western Terror trained by Rod Lorenzo, who co-owns with Souren Hovsepian, already owns a mark of 1:55 and comes off a wire-to-wire 1:59.3 tally in her Pompano Park debut in a non-wagering event. Hennessey is expected to be in her sulky, as well, with the main competition expected to come from Prairie Sweetness and KKs Dream Girl. That event kicks off Pompano Park’s Pick-6 wager.
Another juvenile event features trotting fillies and kicks off the late Daily Double in South Florida. Prairie Virtue should get plenty of attention off of a game 2:03.3 performance in her maiden win, highlighted by a :28.3 finale.
Ifnotmewho and Ciao Bella appear to be the main threats to Prairie Virtue, a daughter of Shibboleth Hanover, trained by Lisa Martin for Mary Martin and Laurie Poulin.
There are two non-wagering Sunshine State Stake events, as well, with Mith Mister David C and Shuda Hada Drink looking for repeat wins.
Besides their usual wide array of wagering features offered, Pompano Park has added a late Pick-3 to their menu, offered on the final three races of the program.
Post time for the opener is set for 7:20 p.m.
(Pompano Park)