Mud Fenders, Major Upset In Pompano Mares Open
A sudden tropical downpour just before post time delayed by a few minutes the start of the Monday evening, May 28 program at The Isle Casino Racing Pompano Park. The field for the $8,500 purse Isle Mile Mares Open Pace had to be fitted with mud fenders and it all turned out to be bad news for 1-9 favorite Bombilla Hanover who made a very uncharacteristic break in stride at the gate.
The unexpected development left the duty of cutting the mile through the driving rain to Nillabomb with Tom Sells in the bike through the suddenly sloppy conditions in 28.2, 58, and 1:26.2 as second choice Major Trap also made a mistake at the gate alongside Bombilla Hanover. Lurking behind Nillabomb all the way was 15-1 longshot Gold Star Glitter partnered by Walter Ross Jr., and she was calmly wheeled out in the stretch to win in 1:55.1. Another longshot, Angela, completed the ticket with Bob Roberts in the bike.
Tom Audley of Bell, FL is the breeder, owner and trainer of Gold Star Glitter, a winner of more than $100,000 in purses in her 2010 and 2011 campaign at ages 2 and 3 in the Florida bred program. Now 4, the daughter of Squaw's Fella-Squisita has amassed 12 career wins for a career bankroll of more than $109,000.
Tom Sells Extra Hot In The Drivers' Seat
In the first five races of the Monday evening program at Pompano Tom Sells was a one man wrecking crew in the race bike as he racked up a natural hat trick and a pair of close runner-up finishes.
After piloting Nillabomb to a second place finish in the first race feature, Sells executed a field sweeping win with 4 year old conditioned trotter Frozen Assets to complete the daily double. Then, in the Mares Open 2 for a $6,500 purse, Sells timed the final half move just right to prevail with 4 year old mare Mighty Nice, just before completing his hat trick with heavily favored 3 year old filly Prairie Lee. Sells hot streak concluded with a very narrow photo finish defeat in the program's fifth race with 3 year old filly trotter One Point.
The current live harness racing meet at Pompano concludes on July 28. There's one more Monday program slated for June 4 in addition to the Wednesday and Saturday live cards at 7:05 p.m. Eastern. Free race night live streaming, handicapping selections by Hall Of Famer John Berry and much more is available in the 'racing' tab at www.theislepompanopark.com.
