While Cult Icon took top honours in Pompano Park's Open Handicap Pace for mares on Tuesday night (Jan. 12), most of the scuttlebutt came in the very next race as stablemates Happy Heart and Glenferrie Blade A dead-heated in their event with two Hall of Fame drivers — both with over 10,000 career wins — in their respective sulkies.

Happy Heart, handled by Wally Hennessey, and Glenferrie Blade A, with David Miller in her sulky, hit the wire with no separation. Both mares are trained by Melissa Beckwith, with Happy Heart owned by Thomas McTygue and Glenferrie Blade A owned by Mark Beckwith.

At the outset, these two were involved in a three-horse battle for the top spot as Evas Sports Czech, handled by Walter LaFrenière Jr., joined Happy Heart and Glenferrie Blade in that early scuffle. At the :27.1 opener, Happy Heart made the top with Glenferrie Blade pressing on to take charge shortly thereafter, taking the field to a half in :56.

On the backside, Odds On Cheddar, outside every step thus far, reached third while Northern Swift was on a three-wide binge from last, reaching second around the final turn with Glenferrie Blade A patiently waiting for some room to roam turning for home after the 1:24.4 three-quarters.

In the lane, Happy Heart fought on gamely but drifted out slightly, allowing Glenferrie Blade A to shoot on through along the pylons and get up for the tie in the last stride.

Evas Sports Czech finished third; Northern Swift and Big Bad Baby were next in the octet.

Both Hall of Famers had something to say about the rare event, with Miller saying, "you know, I thought I might have gotten there, but it was too close to call. Mark (Beckwith) said his mare likes the front end, so I tried to put her there. But when Wally (Hennessey) retook, I thought a two-hole trip wouldn't be so bad after all. I guess my patience paid off, and was happy to share the winner's circle in the win."

Hennessey said, "I didn't know ... I was hoping we held on, but wasn't sure. Dave's (Miller) mare is a lot bigger than mine, so I didn't know. Happy Heart might be a smaller horse, but she has a very big heart!"

Happy Heart, an eight-year-old daughter of Woodstock, achieved her 30th lifetime win and sent her career bounty to $43,889. Glenferrie Blade A, is an Australian-bred 10-year-old daughter of Mach Three whose 23rd career victory lifted her career earnings to $266,296.

Both mares paid $2.10 to win.

A few minutes earlier, Cult Icon, with Hennessey at her controls, put in a gritty 1:51.4 performance in the $11,000 Open Handicap for mares after taking charge just after the :27.1 opener and carding subsequent fractions of :56.1 and 1:23.2 along the way.

Casies Believer (Joe Chindano Jr.) was second, 1-3/4 lengths away, while favoured Crisp Mane (David Miller) was third. Another Beach Day and Image Of A Dream also picked up cheques in the classy sextet.

Cult Icon, a six-year-old daughter of Bettors Delight, is trained by Trent Stohler, who trains for the Stable. She now has 20 lifetime wins and earnings of $278,407.

As third choice in the betting, Cult Icon paid $8.80 to win.

Racing continues on Wednesday night (Jan. 13) with a $15,000 guaranteed Pick-4 pool and a Super Hi-5 carryover of $93,236.75.

Post time is 7:20 p.m.

(Pompano Park)