A battle to Pompano circle

After a string of defeats to world record holder Tweedle Dum in the Mack Lobell Trotting Series, Battleshoe Victor returned to the winner’s circle on Monday when taking the third-race feature from Pompano Park, a $10,000 Open Handicap Trot.

Driven by Bruce Ranger, Battleshoe Victor was handled aggressively off the gate from post seven and quickly took command of the race entering the first turn, trotting the opening quarter mile in :28.2. After slowing things down with a moderate second panel in :30 to reach the half-mile marker in :58.2, Battleshoe Victor continued to trot confidently on the lead down the backstretch through a three-quarters split in 1:27.3

Battleshoe Victor entered the stretch with a 1 1/4-length advantage and was unchallenged down the lane, holding that margin through the wire to prevail in 1:57. The pocket-sitting Trotting Intruder (Donald Dupont) held on to finish second over a late-charging Byzanz (Dein Spriggs), who edged out Team Lavec (Wally Hennessey) to finish third.

Battleshoe Victor, who was coupled in the wagering with fifth-place finisher Sherrie’s Delight, returned $2.80, $2.20, $2.10 for the victory. Trotting Intruder brought in $5.40, $2.10 for second while Byzanz paid $2.10 for third.

Owned by Michael Polansky of Loudonville, N.Y., and trained by Tom Harmer, Battleshoe Victor is a 5-year-old Illinois-bred son of Valley Victor, out of the Crysta’s Crown mare Crysta.

An eight-time winner in 2006, Battleshoe Victor has won two of seven starts this season, with a second-place finish in the $77,800 Mack Lobell Trotting Series final and a third-place performance in the $25,000 second leg of that series.

Ranger won five races on Monday, including four straight trips to the winner’s circle to begin the program. Ranger began his evening with a win in the opener behind Tutor Hanover ($4.20) before completing a sweep of the early daily double when taking race two with Raider’s Jirah ($2.80).

After his feature race victory with Battleshoe Victor ($2.80), Ranger was at the lines of fourth-race winner Divine Reactor ($4.40) and sixth-race victor Clean Cut Kid ($3.60). (Pompano)

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