Frosh filly struts her stuff at Pompano

June 28, 2007

A pair of $1,000 non-wagering events for Florida-bred 2-year-old trotters was held prior to the start of the Wednesday program at Pompano Park, marking the first appearance of the season for juvenile performers at the racetrack.

In the evening�s first non-wagering trot, the filly Strut crossed the wire first while covering the mile in 2:08.4 for the ownership of Sunbird Stable, James Gluhm, and Doug Kistler, trainer Julie Working, and driver Mickey McNichol.

Strut is a daughter of Anythings Possible out of the Royal Troubador mare I�m Fashionable.

Southern Rain, a son of Wewering out of the Tabor Lobell mare Saucy T, prevailed in the second event for Sunshine State juvenile trotters, stopping the timer in 2:08.3 for owner Mark Rorabeck and driver/trainer Michael Deters.

After faltering as the favorite in his most recent appearance, the 7-year-old gelding S Sparrow Express returned to the Pompano Park winner�s circle for the fourth time in his last six starts after taking Wednesday�s $8,000 trotting feature in a career-best 1:56.3.

Driven from post two by Wally Hennessey, S Sparrow Express settled along the pylons in third place through the early stages of the Wednesday feature as Mighty Maori A (Dan Clements) sprinted to the front, showing the way through an opening quarter mile in :28.

As the trotters passed the grandstand for the first time, Hennessey saw his opportunity to seize control of the race and quickly muscled S Sparrow Express to the front, making the lead while cutting out middle fractions of :57.4 and 1:27.

S Sparrow Express entered the stretch with a 1 1/2 -length advantage, and while the son of Elliotts Express faced mild pressure through the final stages of the race, the gelding was never truly threatened and prevailed by a length at the wire.

S Sparrow Express returned $5.40, $3.20, $2.80 for the victory. Down Swing (Kevin Wallis) brought in $4.20, $2.60 for second, while Giambi (Gaston Lareau) paid $3.80 for third.

Owned and trained by Don Campbell of Naples, S Sparrow Express pushed his career bankroll over the $70,000 mark with his Wednesday victory. The gelding now has seasonal earnings of $19,426.

Campbell-trained horses have enjoyed an amazing string of success at Pompano Park this year. The 43-year-old conditioner has scored with seven of 13 starters, while tallying 12 in-the-money finishes. (Pompano Park)

« Back