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Kommander Hawk in charge at Pompano

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January 13, 2013

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Kommander Hawk, driven for the first time by Matt Romano, led every step of the way to win the $12,000 Open 1 Pace at Pompano Park on Saturday night in 1:51.4.

The 7-year-old son of Pro Bono Best, trained by John McNeil III for owner Ellen McNeil, burst out of the gate en route to a stinging opening quarter of :26.1, carded mid-mile fractions of :55 and 1:22.3, and then dug in late to hold off the fast closing long-shot Avantage, handled by Dave Ingraham, to win by a half-length.

Woodmere Ultimate, off at 2-1 with Wally Hennessey in the bike, made a determined bid on the backstretch to challenge the leader around turn three but that lively third quarter took its toll in the lane and that one finished third. Monet C C (Bruce Ranger) was fourth with Special Strides (Rick Plano), the 5-2 second choice, picking up minor honors.

Arezzo Hanover, backed at 5 to 2 off of his lifetime best 1:50.3 performance one week ago, made a break after the opening panel while on the move and finished last.

While trainer McNeil summed up the effort simply by saying, "he raced good,� it was driver Romano who was a bit more affirmative in his thoughts. "John (McNeil) said that he likes the front end so I let him rumble a little out of the gate. When I saw :26.1 for the opener, I was a bit concerned so I tried to give him a bit of a breather. When Wally's horse (Woodmere Ultimate) came at me, I popped the earplugs and he really responded well and was digging hard to the wire.�

For Kommander Hawk, it was his 15th lifetime victory sending his career earnings to $107,007. The win mutuel was $12.60, keying a $217.20 exacta and $566.60 trifecta. (Pompano)

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