All Charged Up, driven by John MacDonald, eked out a narrow decision in Pompano Park's enhanced $11,000 Open Handicap Pace for fillies and mares on Monday night (December 18), stopping the timer in 1:52.4.

The courageous six-year-old daughter of Ponder pinned the defeat on the highly vaunted Rockin Serene, handled by Peter Wrenn. Embassy Seelster, with Fern Paquet Jr. handling her lines, finished third. Galarina and Sues Night Out finished fourth and fifth, respectively, in the five-horse field.

All Charged Up, who was sent off as the 6-1 second choice, left the starting gate with alacrity from Post 4, as did Rock Serena, who left from her outside Post 5 and off as the official 1-20 favourite.

Rockin Serena blazed through an opening panel of :26.4 to take command and led through subsequent fractions of :56 and 1:24.4 with All Charged Up patient while in the garden spot.

Turning for home, All Charged Up found a narrow seam to leave the coziness of her pocket and began gnawing away, taking a short lead once they straightened away.

The two foes fought tooth and nail to the wire. Rockin Serena had gnawed right back in the final stages, but her late rally fell a head short at the line.

After the race, driver John MacDonald related, "The difference tonight was the trip she got. Peter's (Wrenn) filly did the heavy lifting early with that fast opening quarter, but I'll tell ya, she was coming back to us at the end of the mile. She might have gotten us if the track was a bit longer.

"My mare raced as [well] as she can, especially being off a couple of weeks. But, she's gritty...she's tough."

Owned by J P Stables, All Charged Up won for the eighth time in only 17 starts this year, thus sending her 2017 bounty to $46,160. Lifetime, the grand mare has $269,582 on her card to go along with her Vernon Downs mark of 1:51.2.

All Charged Up paid $14.40 to her faithful.

Racing continues on Tuesday night with a Super Hi-5 carryover of $12,375 awaiting.

Post time is set for 7:20 p.m.

(Pompano Park)