“Panther” strikes again with sixth straight

Pompano Beach, FL, March 7, 2022 – Wrestling is famous for its tag-team events in which a pair of warriors do battle in their “squared circle” known as the ring.On Sunday night at Pompano Park, harness racing trainer Mike Deters had a tag team of his own going post-ward in the $14,200 Open Pace and they finished “one-two” in that event with Prairie Panther providing the knockout blow with a gallant :27.3 finale to stop the timer in 1:51.

The win was the sixth straight for the gelded son of Royel Millennium, keeping his undefeated 2022 season intact for Deters, who co-owns with breeder Laurie Poulin.

Hall of Fame Driver Wally Hennessey was, once again, in the bike, as the Panther kept gnawing away first over the final 3/8ths of the mile to score by a length over stablemate Pebellious (John MacDonald), the other member of this Deters tag team.

Seeing Eye Single (David Miller) rallied late to be third while Maxdaddy Blue Chip went an evenly rated mile to be fourth over Scootnroll, who picked up the nickel after being last from the one post all the way around.

At the outset, Cinnamon Beach zipped off the wings and took charge early and the two “tag-teamers, Rebellious and Prairie Panther, also were hot leaving in search of a closer spot, landing in second and third spots, respectively, through a :26.2 opening sizzler. Positions remained unchanged past the half in :55.1 and, once on the backside, that’s where things began to accelerate further as Prairie Panther began gnawing away first up, looking the leader in the eye at the third station in 1:23.2.

As they straightened away for the drive home, Prairie Panther stuck his head in front and began edging away as stablemate Rebellious found a seam along the pylons to move into second and complete the tag team result.

PRAIRIE PANTHER REPLAY

Said Hennessey after the race, “He (Prairie Panther) is some brave horse. He’s handy, he’s gutsy, he’s as gallant as they come, and Mike (trainer Deters) has done an amazing job with him throughout his entire career. I mean, you just don;t see this very often at all in racing. There not machines, you know, but I am almost beginning to believe that the Panther is one.”

Garnering his 53rd career win, Prairie Panther vaulted his lifetime earnings over the half million dollar mark to $504,800.

Off at 3 to 5 on the tote-board,, he paid $3.40 to win.

The $12,600 Open II Pace went to Actor Hanover, driven by owner-trainer Kevin Wallis.

The six year-old altered son of Captaintreacherous led just about every stride of the mile to score in 1:51.1, a seasonal best.

Launching through an opening quarter in :25.4, Actor Hanover went sawing through panels of :54.3 aand 1:22.3 before a :28.3 finale got him to the line a half length better than the fastest closing SAgedchadar Hanover (John MacDonald) with Real Peace (David Miller) next another nose back after going first up on the backside and threatening around the final bend. Double Metal, also in the four horse picture was fourth while Alluneedisfaith getting the minor award in the septet.

Actor Hanover now sports a 2-1-1 scorecard in seven starts and $19,110 this semester and $228,446 lifetime.
He paid $4.00 to win.

ACTOR HANOVER REPLAY

Racing continues on Monday with a $15,000 guaranteed pool on the Pick-4, bolstered by an industry low 12% takeout and a Super Hi-5 finale with a carryover of $37,702. Post time is set for 7:20 p.m.

For full race results, click here.

by John Berry, for Pompano Park