I Can Only Image coasts in Isle Pompano Pacing Series

I Can Only Imagine ($3) was able to strut his stuff in showing his heels to nine rivals with a 5 1/4-length romp on Saturday in winning the $25,000 opening round of the Isle Pompano Park Pacing Series.

Driven by Bruce Ranger, I Can Only Imagine started the sixth race feature going right to front, but after an opening quarter mile in :26.3 it was Sugar’s Pride (Kevin Wallis) who was in command of the race. But that lead was short-lived, as Ranger came right back with I Can Only Imagine and they led the field at the half-mile marker, in :55.1.

Racing down the backstretch, D’Artagnan and driver Tom Sells came first-over to challenge the leaders and push them to a 1:24 three-quarters, but then began to fade as I’m In Luck looped three wide on the final turn for driver Andy Santeramo.

But I Can Only Imagine would have no part of it, as once he straightened out and started down the stretch he pulled away from the field to win in 1:51.1. Sugar’s Pride was second, with Armbro Dynamic (Wally Hennessey) third.

It was the seventh win this year for I Can Only Imagine. The 7-year-old stallion by Cole Muffler, owned by Michael Polansky of Loudonville, N.Y. and trained by Tom Harmer, now sports career earnings of nearly $390,000--$77,500 of that earned in 2009.

There were two $5,000 divisions of the opening round of the Four Wars Pacing Series for $4,000 claimers. The first division saw Front Page Star ($2.40) and driver Anthony Napolitano win, in 1:54.1, over All My Best (Hennessey), and Admiral Viking (Andy Santeramo). It was the eighth win this year for Front Page Star.

In the second division, Armbro Claret ($3.20) and driver Fern Paquet Jr. held game to the wire, winning by a neck, in 1:55.1, over Jolly Jate (Hennessey) and Should The Boys N (Richard Simard). It was the sixth win this year for Armbro Claret. (Pompano)

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