Amateurs shine at Pompano Park

Muggleston, who was the helicopter pilot for Herve Filion during his glorious career, was in the pilot seat as he steered his own Fleet Cessna to victory in the pentafecta fourth race as the 9 to 1 outsider, rewarding his faithful with a $21.00 mutuel.

Muggleston, a man of many missions, indeed, for Filion, guided this six year-old gelded son of Manofmanymissions from fourth around the second turn and brushed him to the front on the backside while opening up an insurmountable lead and coasting to victory in 1:58.2.

Stormy Dude (Ron Cusimano) closed well for second while the favored Muscles Aplenty (Dein Spriggs) was next.

FLEET CESSNA REPLAY

It was the first win for Muggleston since May 20, 2018 covering 51 starts prompting him to say, in a post race interview, “I was waiting for some of that Herve magic and Herve touch to rub off on me for a change and tonight was the night. My horse was in a bit easier tonight and he drew nicely and things worked out. A lot of credit goes, of course, to the horse and to trainer Allen Saul and caretaker Cindy LIpp for their dedication to our horses.”

It was the initial win in 13 starts for Fleet Cessna, who, just weeks ago, went over the $100,000 in career bounty.

Cusimano actually got things started by guiding owner=trainer Tom Petri’s Railee Workable to a 1:58.4 win for his fourth success of the year in 13 starts.

The nine year-old Florida bred son of Basil had to use multiple moves during his journey to score by three-parts-of-a-length over Forbidden Song (Brian Calvert) Pepin Coolie (George Anthrop) third, two lengths away.

Cusimano sent Railee Workable in search of the lead along with the favorite, War Cry Hall, with Forbidden Song also on the prowl as this threesome traded jabs for the first half mile before Railee Workable used a backstretch sprint to the front and never looked back.

RAILEE WORKABLE REPLAY

The win was number 29 for Railee Workable and sent his career earnings to $225,815.

As the 3 to 1 third choice, Railee Workable paid $8.60 to win.

Several members of the Florida Amateur Driving Club gathered in the winner’s circle as the

F.A.D.C. President Dein Spriggs made a presentation to the Trotting Museum and Hall of Fame in the amount of $2.000.

The club, whose members donate all driving earnings back for charitable donations, has contributed well over $200,000 to organizations such as Make-A-Wish, Go For The Greens, American Cancer Society and sanctuaries for retired race horses, among others.

The track also hosted a 10 year memorial for the late William Fay Nelson, known as the “King of the Claimers” during his many years in our sport–one of his favorite being Big Bad Bud, a horse whose diet included chewing tobacco!

The evening concluded with Endeavors Pride taking the nightcap at 7 to 2 odds keying a 4-1-3-9-6 combination returning $23,139.44 for the 20 cent ticket.

Racing continues of Monday night with a carryover in the Pick-6 of $10,634, a pair of Pick-4 events, each with a $20,000 guaranteed pool along with an industry low 12% takeout.

A classic confrontation is expected in the $11,000 Open Handicap Pace which headlines the 13 race extravaganza with Rebellious Ideal Feeling and Skip To My Lou are among the entrants.

A rare Pick-6 carryover highlights the “Better for the Bettor” department at Pompano Park on Monday night.

The carryover of $10,634 is NOT a “jackpot” Pick-6 with this wagering opportunity an advantage to the bettor with regard to takeout.

In addition, there will be two Pick-4 events, each with a $20,000 guarantee and an industry low 12% takeout.

The Pick-6 covers races three through eight while the Pick-4 events begin in races six and 10, respectively.

First post is set for 7:20 p.m.

For full race results, click here.

by John Berry, for Pompano Park