Pompano Beach, FL – Ideal Feeling, craftily handled by harness racing driver Kevin Wallis, used a :26.1 opener and a :26.4 closer to capture Pompano Park’s $11,000 Open Handicap Pace on Monday (April 19), stopping the timer in 1:52.2
The rugged and versatile six year-old son of American Ideal left sharply from post four, tussled with Rebellious, post five, (Wally Hennessey) around that opening turn and, when the latter appeared to make a speed break, opened up what turned out to be an insurmountable lead and reported home three-parts-of-a-length in front of the late charging Skip To My Lou (Joe Chindano, Jr.) with Wes Delight (Jim Meittinis) third, four lengths away. Let’s Roll was fourth while Rebellious was unable to recover and finished fifth in the select quintet.
With a fast closing second last week from last turning for home, Wallis changed strategy and returned to the way he had won three straight before last week and zipped of the wings into an early lead measuring some four lengths over Wes Delight with. a :30 breather during the second panel bringing him to the half in :56.1. The pace began quickening mid-way on the backside as Skip To My Lou made a strong bid until racing a bit wide turning for home–the winner’s :26.4 trip home sealing the deal.
IDEAL FEELING REPLAY
In a post-race interview, trainer Peter Blood had high praise for his horse and driver saying, “This horse is very sharp right now. He’s healthy and strong and very versatile and responds just with a chirp or two. Kevin (driver Wallis) drove him with confidence and he proved his mettle tonight with intense speed at both ends of the mile.”
Owned by Rick Berks, Ideal Feeling won for the fifth time this season in 14 starts and seent his 2021 bounty to $34,635 and $306,583 lifetime to go along with his 1:48.4 mark set last season at The Meadowlands. He paid $4.20 to win as the betting favorite.
The $10,000 Open II Pace went to Saulsbrook Deputy, superbly handled by Braxton Boyd, in a season’s best–and lifetime best–1:50.4. The seven year-old gelded son of Western Paradise benefitted from live cover flow the last half mile and used a :27.2 finale to streak by the leading Captain Malicious and on to a 1 ¼ length victory over the late charging Agedchedar Hanover (Dave Ingraham). Darling’s Dragon (Don Dupont) finished third, four lengths away while Funknwaffles finished fourth after looming boldly turning for home. Mach West picked up the nickel in the octet.
Trained by Jennifer Giuliana for owner Mark Keller, Saulsbrook Deputy sent his 2021 scorecard to 3-3-1 in 15 starts, vaulting his earnings for the year to $22,330. The win was also a milestone 25th sending his career bankroll to $236,465.
As the 5 to 2 second choice, Saulsbrook Deputy paid every “pound” of his odds–$7.80.
In other notable action, track record holder Panocchio closed out the Monday 13 race extravaganza with a sharp 1:52.4 win for Dave Ingraham. The now 11 year-old gelded son of No Pan Intended out-hustled the favored Johnny Chip (Kevin Wallis) through an opener of :27.1, took a “nap” during a :29.2 second quarter and stitched together panels of :27.3 and :28.3 in holding off the fast closing Double Metal (Wally Hennessey) by a half length. Johnny Chip did finish third while Border Control was fourth over Harry Terror in the field of nine.
For Panocchio, it was his 74th career win sending his lofty bankroll lifetime to over the $660,000 mark for trainer Jim Mattison, who co-owns with wife Vicki and Emile Johnson, Jr.
Panocchio paid $10.20 to win.
Kevin Wallis had the “hat trick” on the card with the aforementioned Ideal Feeling along with T’s Electric ($6.00) and Machet Time ($6.60) while Dave Ingraham had a double with Skyway Venus ($15.00) along with Panocchio.
Handle for the Monday program was $1,091,560–a record 20th time that handle has reached the million dollar plateau and beyond.
Racing continues Tuesday with an evenly matched field of pacing mares going to the gate in the $11,000 Open. Beach Journey, a $6,000 claim six weeks ago, looks to win her second straight in the top company and will have Braxton Boyd in her sulky for owner-trainer Cory Kreisier. Casie’s Believer, Prairie Westerngal, Tempus Seelster, Evas Sports Czech and Roll With Angel complete talented field.
In the “better for the bettor” department, the Tuesday 11 race program includes a Pick-4 with a $20,000 guaranteed poll which has an industry low 12% takeout.
Post time is set for 7:20 p.m.
For full race results, click here.
by John Berry, for Pompano Park