Pompano Beach, FL…November 21, 2020…Ideal Feeling, a courageous harness racing winner in Pompano Park's Opening Night feature last week, looks to repeat in Sunday's Open Handicap Pace at South Florida's famed five-eighths mile oval.
The five year-old son of American Ideal, trained by Peter Blood for owner Rick Berks, survived the outside nine post and a very taxing :26.1 opening panel to gamely hold on for a nose victory in 1:50.4 over the fast closing Maxdaddy Blue Chip with Mach West less than a length away at the end.
Once again, Dave Ingraham is expected to be back in Ideal Feeling's bike and is actually the co-third choice in the morning line at 5 to 1 starting from the outside 8 post.
Morning line favoritism has been assigned to Mach West, who loomed boldly in the lane in last week's event to just miss by three-parts-of-a-length. Wally Hennessey will drive Mach West for the Mike Deters trainee owned by Jerold Hawks.
Maxdaddy Blue Chip, 9 to 2 in the morning line, was just a lip away last Sunday and paced his final 3/4s in 1:23 for Mike Simons. This eight year-old gelded son of Sportswriter is trained by Jim McDonald for Twenty Four Carrot Racing.
The Hoosier Park invader Dash Of Danger, who has been known to be able to turn on the "afterburners" in the stretch is the co-third choice at 5 to 1 and will have trainer Kyle Husted in the sulky for Amy Cruise and David Brigham.
Other first time invaders are Real Peace and Let's Roll while Bunkerhill Phill and Loud Splash complete the very talented and competitive octet.
Sunshine State Stakes action continues on Sunday night, as well, as four divisions for the two year-olds (two off the betting card) will also be contested.
On the betting card, Ifnotmewho and Prairie Virtue will renew their rivalry in filly trot while Sheza Terror, KK's Dream Girl and Prairie Sweetness, all involved in a photo finish last time out, will lock horns again in the filly pace.
On the "better for the bettor" ledger, Pompano Park will offer a $10,000 guarantee on the Pick-4 (12% takeout), which begins on race six, as well as thee Late Pick-3 on the final trio of races.
Post time is set for 7:20 p.m.
by John Berry, for Pompano Park