The latest streak of winning at least one race each Friday night in South Florida now stands at three for Joe Pavia Jr

. The March 5 program saw him rein in the winners of the top two races on the card at the Isle Casino Racing Pompano Park.

In the $15,000 Mares Open Handicap Pace, Pavia's Florida stable leader, Esmeralda Semalu, was back on her best game with a dominant front end win. The six-year-old Electric Stena-Anemone Semalu miss was in command all the way, posting the fractions of :27.3, :57, 1:24.3 and 1:52.2. The reigning mares track record holder hadn't won since January 8 at the Isle, but flashed the signs last week when she was a shuffled and hard closing runner-up. Pavia had his star pupil in top stride early and able to beat Major Trap, in rein to George Napolitano Jr., to the quarter pole, and then able to repel the final half first over challenge of Bling and David Ingraham. Bling saw a three-race win streak end in the track's top weekly mares event, but she would eventually nose out Major Trap for the place position.

The win pushes the career bankroll of Esmeralda Semalu to more than $350,000 for the BJR and AGC Stables of Florida. In the same race, the Pavia outfit sent out Billie Blue Chip, with Matt Kakaley subbing in the bike, to a fourth place finish for the 2009 Pennsylvania Sires Stakes three-year-old filly pace champion.

Pavia would also return to pose for the winner's photograph after the $10,000 Fillies And Mares Open-2 Pace. He executed a perfect second over trip for Hypnotize in 1:53.2 to edge out M A Jackie, in rein to Anthony Napolitano, and Head Over Heels, with Andy Santeramo. Hypnotize, an eight-year-old daughter of Artiscape-Sleep All Day, is co-owned and trained by Jim Mattison of Pompano Beach. The 38-time career winner of over $370,000 is co-owned by Lisa and Louis Diffenback and William Mack of New York.

Pavia's recent streak of Friday night wins this season at the Isle could have only two more weeks to go as his plan calls for most of his stable to be shipped north to Pocono Downs on March 20.

The Saturday evening, March 6 doubleheader programs at the Isle convene at 7:05 p.m. highlighted by the return of driver Peter Wrenn to South Florida for nine drives out of the barn of trainer Mike Deters and one starter from the care of trainer Michile Lorenzo. Wrenn and Deters will be toasted along with Aime Choquette and pacer Swingin Glory at Sunday's Florida Hall Of Fame induction dinner hosted by the State's chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association.

(Pompano Park)