Saturday's (Feb. 9) edition of Racing Roundup features results stories from Pompano Park, Dover Downs and Buffalo Raceway.

Northern Companion wins at Pompano again

Pompano Beach, FL--Northern Companion, with Rob Hoffman in the bike, stretched his winning streak to three with a handy win in 1:51.4 over Freeneasy Hanover and Woodmere Ultimate in Pompano Park’s Open I Handicap Pace on Saturday night.

“Handicapped” with the outside post in the field of five, the 5-year-old gelded son of Cambest, off at 1-5 on the toteboard, roared to the lead at the outset and took the field to an opening panel of 27.2 before yielding to second choice Woodmere Ultimate, with Jason Dillander handling the lines,  three-eighths into the mile.

Woodmere clicked off a 55.2 half and took the field into the backstretch with a lead measuring 1-1/2 lengths. With Northern Companion sitting chilly in the pocket, both Monet C C (Ranger) and Hay Goodlooking (Plano) both pulled allowing Freeneasy Hanover, with Wally Hennessey driving, to craftily take the short route on the inside.

Northern Companion left the pocket just before the third station, reached in 1:24, took command with ease turning for home and widened his lead throughout the lane.

Hennessey’s move ultimately paid off as he nosed out Woodmere Ultimate on the wire, though four lengths away from the winner. Hay Goodlooking finished fourth while Monet C C picked up the “nickel.”

In a post-race interview, driver Rob Hoffman said his charge has never been better.

“I’d have to say that this was the best mile he’s ever raced,” he said. “He’s a freak of nature. I never asked him for anything tonight…he just did this all on his own.

Trained by Howard Klohr for owner Dorothy Zarza, the win was the third in four starts this year for Northern Companion. He’s now earned $117,677 lifetime.

--John Berry

DOVER DOWNS
A trio of pacing feature events for young horses won by Act Of Magic, Jolt Of Fire and Kenzie’s Beach Boy capped a windy Saturday (Feb. 9) card at Dover Downs. Tony Morgan, driving Act Of Magic for Midge Haven Farm and trainer Josh Green, held off a lengthy charge from Love Novel (George Dennis) to win a Delaware $12,000 3,4&5-Year-Old Filly and Mare pace in 1:55.4 It was the first win of 2013 for the Western Ideal-Mystical 4-year-old. Allie Oakley (Vic Kirby) finished third. In the similar events for male pacers, Jolt Of Fire, piloted by Daryl Bier, had just enough to edge past front-pacing Shark On Board to the wire in 1:55.1. Forrest Bartlett owns the Village Jolt-Fie Foe Fire gelding, making his first visit to the winner’s circle this year. Ken Kam (Ross Wolfenden) was the show finisher. The other $10,000 3,4&5-Year-Old pace found the only sophomore starters finish one-two. Prohibitive-favorite Kenzie’s Beach Boy had little trouble posting his second straight win of the year in 1:54.3 with George Dennis picking up his third winning drive of the day. The Jenna’s Beach Boy-Absolutely Genuine gelding trained by Joe Holloway for owner Four J’s Stable took the lead heading around the clubhouse turn and was in command the rest of the way. The only other 3-year-old in the field of nine, Pinehaven Art (Brad Hanners) was best of the rest. Pans Of Stone (Ross Wolfenden) took third honors. Three drivers dominated the afternoon. Allan Davis had a triple, winning three of the first four races. Vic Kirby and George Dennis also had three wins. Trainer Josh Green haltered two winners.

BUFFALO RACEWAY
For the second week in a row, Dontgetinskyway a 7-year-old gelding out of Dontgetinmyway, won the $11,000 Open Pace in 1:57.4 for owners David P. McNeight and the Limerick Racing Stables both of Hamburg, N.Y., here at Buffalo Raceway Saturday night (February 9). It was the second win this year for Dontgetinskyway, who now has 15 lifetime wins in 146 attempts. Dontgetinskyway ($5.00), the second choice in the betting, settled in fourth with reinsman Dave McNeight III in the sulky, as eventual second place finisher, and favorite in the race, Cam Patch (Dan Noble) cut all the fractions in the race, 29.1, 58.3, and 1:28.1. As the field was going down the backstretch for the second time, McNeight had Dontgetinskyway perfectly positioned to engage the leader at the top of the stretch. A great battle developed, which saw Dontgetinskyway prevail by ¾ of a length at the finish line. Deuces And Jacks (Jim McNeight) came in third. Trained by David McNeight, Jr., the $5,500 share of the purse put Dontgetinskyway’s season’s earnings at $19,830, and $195,557 lifetime. Shawn Gray and Ray Fisher, Jr., led all drivers with three wins apiece. Racing will resume on Wednesday February 13, with first post scheduled for 5:00 pm eastern time.