Gale Warning blows into Pompano

A thrilling Open Handicap trot went right down to the wire on the Friday evening, Oct. 23 program at The Isle Pompano Park, with the veteran gelding Gale Warning just edging the strong mare Diva Diva for the top prize.

Under another perfect weather setting -- 82 degrees -- Diva Diva was sent through fractions of :27.4, :57,and 1:25.3 by trainer-driver Andy Santeramo. They were confronted at the top of the stretch as Gale Warning, with Tom Sells at the controls, rated his charge first-over in the final half and drew even late in the final eighth of the mile.

At the wire it was Gale Warning, about a head to the good in 1:55, as the Strong Gale--Liz's Promise stalwart notched his 32nd career win. His life earnings now stand at $299,700 for trainer Michile Lorenzo and owners Rod Lorenzo, Ciro Gentile and Pomtambo Stable.

The other $13,000 purse co-feature on the Friday night card was the Mares Open pace. Alice Springs, with Bruce Ranger up, blazed a wicked opening half pace of :27.3 and :54.2 to repel a second-quarter challenge by Shytown Lightning, with Andy Santeramo.

In the final half, Alice Springs was forced into another confrontation when M A Jackie was served up first-over by Fern Paquet, Jr., with Lucy Lucy and Wally Hennessey following second-over cover, stoutly.

Early in the stretch, Alice Springs was out of weapons and the outcome was apparent when Lucy Lucy was shown clear track to score in 1:51.4 with Nillabomb and Ray Vizzi closing up for second and M A Jackie holding third.

Lucy Lucy thus earned her 26th career win for owner Jay Sears and trainer Kim Sears. It was the first start back following a pair of qualifiers for the Tough Sir--Small Change mare Lucy Lucy, who last competed in a betting race on Aug. 26th, when she took her life mark of 1:51.2 in the Mares Open at Pocono Downs.

Prior to the Friday evening program, a pair of $4,500 purse divisions went to the gate in the second round of the Orange Blossom Series for Florida-bred 2-year-old pacing fillies. Black Diamond Girl won the first division in 1:57.2 for her fourth win in seven trips this year for owners Jay Sears, Penny Kelly and William Kelly. Wally Hennessey rated the Six Of Diamonds--Money For Munchkin miss to a three-quarter pole clocking of 1:29.3.

The pocket-sitter, Perfect Design with Bruce Ranger in tow, would never get close as Black Diamond Girl had a handy :27.4 closer in reserve for the wrapped-up win.

The other division went to Diamond Chip, who pulled the pocket coming out of the final turn to catch the pacesetting Lady Luck Le Ru and Wally Hennessey, in 1:58.3. Bruce Ranger drove Diamond Chip to her second career win in seven starts. The Six Of Diamonds--Stanwyck Blue Chip filly is co-owned by trainer Kim Sears, in partnership with Jay Sears. It went down as a life mark for Diamond Chip, as she paced her own final quarter in :28.2. (Pompano)

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