Carolines Cullen N captured Pompano Park's $11,000 Open Handicap Pace for fillies and mares on Monday with a stirring late rally.
The seven-year-old daughter of down under stallion Christian Cullen eked out the narrow win over Blissfull Romance, while the favoured Odds On Aventure finished third in the 1:53 mile.
Driven by Bruce Ranger for owner Robert Cooper Stables and trainer Jeff Webster, Carolines Cullen N blasted out of the gate before yielding to Blissfull Romance and driver Wally Hennessey around turn one, who took the field to the quarter in :27.3.
Blissfull Romance’s lead was short lived, as Odds On Aventure, with Joe Pavia, Jr. handling her lines, was rolling strongly on the outside and into the lead heading into the second turn.
'Aventure' was the one who took the field through panels of :56.3 and 1:24.3 and had a clear lead turning for home.
That’s when Blissfull Romance came out of the pocket. Carolines Cullen followed, still, wider out, and the three were across the track a sixteenth of a mile out.
Carolines Cullen was just a bit stronger in the late stages and her :27.4 final quarter was just good enough to earn the photo-finish win.
“The mare was good last week in her Pompano debut,” said Ranger, “and she was nice and tight for this one. She had a great journey.”
For Carolines Cullen N, it was her sixth win in 30 starts this year and 25th lifetime victory, sending her career bounty over $290,000 --- $77,050 of that in 2012.
Miss Sparta (Gaston Lareau) finished fourth with Gold Star Gidget, shuffled to last midway through the mile, earning minor honours.
(Pompano)