Sunshine Stakes action at Pompano Park

Pompano Beach, FL. – November 1, 2021 – Just like game six of the World Series featuring a grand slam and many extra base hits in a wild scoring affair, Pompano Park had its share of double, triples and even a “seven-hit” performance as the harness racing track featured the second round of the FSBOA sponsored Sunshine State Stakes for Florida sired and foaled two and three year-olds.

With 16 races–five none-wagering–on the extravaganza, driver Wally Hennessey had the “seven-bagger’ while trainer Jake Huff had a training triple and Marc Major had a double, Braxten Boyd, Kevin Wallis and Joe Chindano, Jr. also had extra base hits on the card. Also, driver Dale Hiteman, returning to The Pomp and coming into the action with 8,741 career victories, promptly added another to his long resume of success.

Here’s a recap of the Sunshine State Stakes action:

Tom Casey’s Charis, a daughter of Shibboleth Hanover, once again beat her only other competitor, I’m Solar Powered (Marc Major), for the second straight time–this win measuring 40 3/4 lengths. Charlis took charge immediately and widened her advantage with every stride, covering the mile in a lifetime best 2:07.4. Wally Hennessey, who also trains the filly, was in her sulky as she kept her lifetime scorecard perfect at two-for-two.

Prince of Sussex, with Hennessey in the bike, took advantage of her three rivals making early miscues and went on to score a handy win 2:04 off fractions of :31.3, 1:03 and 1:33.4. The winning margin was 53 1/4 lengths over Gator Force (Ken Holliday), Oh No Not Again (Dave Ingraham) and DitchemKwik N Howe. The gelded son of Creatine won his second straight at Pompano and sent his career bankroll to $47,601. Jake trains the gelding for Heather Wilder and Herman Brewer.

Princess Merida, driven by Braxten Boyd, made a sweeping backside binge from third to take charge and held off a surging Come On Spake Me (Dale Hitemen) to score by a half length in 1:57. The daughter of Royel Millennium, trained by Mike Deters, who co-owns with Laurie Poulin, John Spindler and William Gordon, remains undefeated in her two career starts–this after her 1:56.3 debut one week ago. Neverouttathefight (Mike Simons) finished third after a challenge around the final bend while PJS Fancy Danver and Goldstar Snoball were next in the field of six.

Cowboy Cool, with Hennessey handling the lines for trainer Rod Lorenzo, who co-owns with Souren Hovsepian, took a new lifetime mark of 1:55 in scoring a 1 1/2 length decision over Gold Star Sven (Corey Braden). Away third from his outside five post, the altered son of Western Terror made a quarter move to the top three-eighths in and had no serious threats thereafter, snipping two-fifths of a second off his previous mark achieved at Scioto Downs.

Prairie Handsome (Boyd) was next, five lengths away while Forever Joe K was fourth. Gator At The Well picked up the minor award. Cowboy Coll now sports a 3-1-2 scorecard in seven starts`and $16,182 in his brief career.

Ifnotmewho, gave Hennessey win number four as this sophomore gelded son of Credit Winner rallied from the garden spot turning for home and wore down a game Seeking Matthew (Alessandro Spano) in 2:00.2 to score by 1 1/4 lengths. Shulda Hada Drink (Mike Simons) was third while Jo Jo Jet finished fourth in the quartet. Hennessey sent his charge to the top at the outset, yielded after the :31 opener and sat second as the leader cut panels of 1:00.3 and 1:30.2.

Turning for home, Ifnotmewho left the coziness of the pocket and wore down the leader for his second straight Sunshine Stakes score. The winner is owned by Herman Brewer and gave trainer Jake Huff his second of three training wins on the card and sent the gelding’s earnings to $34,547.

Meanwhile, Hennessey picked up win number seven on the card by guiding Freaky Flyer ($5.80) to win in a claiming event with the first three finishers in that event being “senior citizens”–13, 11 and 14 years-of-age, respectively.

Racing continues Tuesday with first post set for 7:20 p.m.

For full race results, click here.