Sparrow sings again

The 7-year-old gelded trotter S Sparrow Express visited the winner’s circle for the second time in his last three starts when taking Wednesday’s featured $8,000 Trot at Pompano Park, covering the mile in 2:00.1 over a track listed as "good."

Starting from post five with Wally Hennessey at the controls, S Sparrow Express settled along the pylons in sixth place as Rt Um Jim (Andy Santeramo) took the field through opening fractions of :29.1 and 1:00.4.

As the trotters made their way down the backstretch, race favorite Giambi (Bruce Ranger) was the first to attack on the outside, marching his way towards the front while providing cover for Son O’Light (Don Collins) and S Sparrow Express, who moved up third-over.

Giambi claimed the top spot through a three-quarters split in 1:30, but was quickly engaged by S Sparrow Express, who swung three-wide to pass a tiring Son O’Light and cruised to the front midway through the final turn.

S Sparrow Express entered the stretch with a 1 ½-length advantage, and was unchallenged down the lane to prevail by that same margin over a late charging Down Swing (Kevin Wallis).

S Sparrow Express returned $7, $4, $2.60 for the victory. Down Swing brought in $9, $2.60 for second, while Giambi paid $2.20 for third.

Owned and trained by Don Campbell of Naples, S Sparrow Express began his 2007 season with 14 consecutive defeats but has since prevailed in two of his last three outings. His lone defeat during that span came on May 30 when finishing second, beaten a neck.

Campbell-trained horses have made 10 starts at Pompano this year, with five victories and nine in-the-money finishes. In addition to S Sparrow Express, Campbell also conditions Tommy O, a winner of four straight races in South Florida from April 13 through May 16. (Pompano Park)

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