Late drive seals Pompano feature score

Pompano Beach, FL…February 1, 2022… Four Wheelin, with harness racing driver Bob McClure in the sulky, motored by his rivals in deep stretch to score a 10 to 1 upset win in Pompano Park’s $14,200 Open Handicap Trot on Monday (January 31).

The four year-old gelded son of Wheeling N Dealin, the second longest proposition on the tote-board, hit the wire in 1:55.4, rallying from well back to edge by the leading lukewarm favorite, Timon AS (Peter Wrenn), in the final stages for his first win of the new year. It also was the first win at Pompano Park for McClure, who just recently arrived in South Florida.

Sooo Handsome (Rick Plano), closing fastest of all, rallied for third after being shuffled to last turning for home. Celebrity Pegasus, last half way through the mile, also closed with spirit and finished fourth over Muscles For Life, who loomed boldly at the top of the stretch.

Four Wheelin was unhurried at the start as The Lionking AS and Wild And Crazy Guy both left alertly in search of the lead with Timon AS letting the dust settle a bit before grinding forward to take charge after a :27.2 opener. After Timon AS got to the half in :56.4, things began to heat up a bit on the backside as Muscles For Life (Braxten Boyd) began a sprint from fifth with Four Wheelin catching his live cover past the third station in 1:26.1.

In the lane, Timon AS was still fighting as the field fanned across the track with Four Wheelin widest of all and using an extra bit of horsepower to get up near the wire.

It was the 10th lifetime success for the youngest competitor in the field, pushing his career bankroll to $137,526 for owner-trainer Marcel Barrieau.

Four Wheelin paid $23.80 to his faithful.

The win was also important to one fortunate ticket holder with the winning Pick-5 combination–that 50 cent ticket worth $12,693,30.

The $12,600 Open II Handicap Trot went to Star Track Hanover, driven by Wally Hennessey, in 1:55.1.

The six year-old altered son of Chapter Seven led every stride of his mile, just holding off the favored Keystone Apache (David Miller) by a nose. Just Maybe The One (Kevin Wallis) finished third after being prominent in the garden spot much of the way. For A Dreamer and Cash Hit picked up the final two awards in the field of eight.

Owned and trained by Susanne Lopez, Star Track Hanover earned his second win of the year–12th lifetime–to send his bounty over the $100,000 plateau career-wise, now at $101,652.

As the 5 to 1 third choice, Star Track Hanover paid $13.20 to win.

Racing continues on Tuesday with a competitive 10 race program complete with a $15,000 guaranteed Pick-4 pool bolstered by an industry low 12% takeout. There is also a Pick-6 carryover and a Super Hi-5 carryover exceeding $75,000.

Post time is set for 7:20 p.m.

For full race results, click here.

by John Berry, for Pompano Park