Ppk5/8 - Best Around Returns Sharp

In spite of a layoff of 28 days since she blasted to a life's mark of 1:50.3 on January 16, Best Around returned to work in razor sharp form to take down top prize in the February 13 edition of the Mares Open Handicap Pace at The Isle Casino Racing Pompano Park.

Best Around held off Nillabomb and Special Sweetheart to win the $13,200 purse Mares Open Handicap Pace feature on Monday evening, February 13 at The Isle Casino Racing Pompano Park. (Skip Smith Photo)

With Jason Dillander picking up the driving assignment, the 6 year old Cambest-Rondeau Hanover mare won an intense battle for the lead in 26.3, and the lined up the field of ten mares single file to the half in 55.2. In the backstretch, the first over move of C R Hope never got close to the lead trio to the final turn 1:24. At the final buzzer, Best Around held off Nillabomb's move from third in line for Wally Hennessey and the pocket sitting favorite Special Sweetheart in rein to George Napolitano Jr. had to settle for third. Paul Holzman trains Best Around for owner Joel Benson of Ft. Lauderdale, FL.

Rick Plano was the leading driver on the Monday evening card as he brought home claiming pace mare Aries Angel and claiming trotter Damian Carlos N from his own stable, along with longshot conditioned trotter Conceivable Motion for owner-trainer Michael Perzow of Lake Worth, FL.

Post time is 7:15 p.m. Eastern every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday at The Winter Capital Of Harness Racing. Free race night live streaming, handicapping selections by Hall of Fame inductee John Berry, and replays are in the 'racing' tab at www.theislepompanopark.com along with the racing schedule through July of 2012 for The Isle Casino Racing Pompano Park.