In a classic “fistfight to the finish,” as described by announcer Gabe Prewitt, Machin Marley eked out a photo finish win in Pompano Park’s $9,500 Open Pace for mares on Tuesday night (April 18).
Driven by Wally Hennessey, Machin Marley, squeaked by a tenacious Goldstar Rockette, handled by Kevin Wallis, right at the wire, after a stretch long duel that was determined by a “head” with the mile clocked in 1:53.1. Miss Dollar Mam, with John MacDonald in the bike, was a fast-closing third, only a half-length away, while Metro Glide, almost 10 lengths away at the opening quarter, finished fourth. Sues Night Out was fifth in the classy septet of ladies.
At the outset, Miss Dollar Mam, Machin Marley and Goldstar Rockette all had their sights on the lead with Machin Marley wrestling command around turn one while Miss Dollar Mam yielded and Goldstar Rockette was taken back to third...but not for long.
Just past the quick :27 opener, Wallis send Goldstar Rockette on the prowl and, after a tussle with Machin Marley, took change and blazed over to the half in :54.4.
On the backside, Machin Marley’s nose was literally all over Wallis’ helmet and, heading into the final bend, Hennessey tilted out of the pocket, pulled along-side of the leader at the third station in 1:25.1, and the classic battle began.
Neither mare gave an inch during the :28 finale and the decision came right on the wire with Machin Marley getting the nod in the photo.
After the event, Hennessey said, “Let me tell you, this mare has some moxie. Last week when I drove her, she was on the lead, looked in the eye around the final bend, and fought hard every step to the wire to win.
“Tonight, she looked the leader in the eye and fought all the way home. She’s quite a gutsy mare.”
Trained by John Mungillo, who co-owns with Thatsideofthefence LLC, Machin Marley won for the fourth time in 16 starts this season to push her earnings to $20,370.
Lifetime, this five-year-old daughter of Mach Three now has bounty of $90,937.
The final time of 1:53.1 equalled her lifetime best, set in her last victory just one week ago.
As second choice in the wagering at 5-1, Machin Marley paid $12.20 to win.
In other Tuesday night action, Spilling The Beans, driven by Kevin Wallis, took top honours in the $7,000 Open 3 Pace for mares by scorching the Pompano Park oval in a lifetime best 1:51.3 off of front end panels of :26.2, :54.2 and 1:23.
The five-year-old daughter of Camluck scored a two and a half length victory at the expense of Excelerated Speed (Mickey McNichol) with Scirocco Miley Kay, in the garden spot all the way, next, three and three-quarter lengths back of the winner. Shadys Art was fourth while Layer Cake picked up the minor award in the field of nine.
Trained by Dan Morrissey for owner George Robinson, Spilling The Beans annihilated her former mark of 1:53.4 set in her 2017 debut at Pompano Park two starts ago.
With the win — her 14th lifetime in 67 starts — Spilling The Beans sent her career bankroll over the $70,000 plateau.
As the 3-2 public choice, she paid $5 to win.
Racing continues on Sunday night at Pompano Park with post time set for 7:20 p.m.
(With files from Pompano Park)