She’s provided a wealth of memories and a track record performance in her South Florida performances, but the racing career of six-year-old pacing mare Esmeralda Semalu is now in its final stages

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“This year I was never able to get her past about 60 per cent of what she used to be,” trainer and driver Joe Pavia, Jr. declared in a live trackside TV interview after his stable stalwart’s romp in the Tuesday evening feature event at Pompano Park.

“It might not look like it since she’s won seven of 30 starts with over $82,000 this year, and she was good tonight, but she seems to be telling us it will soon be time for her second career, as a broodmare."

In her race last night, Esmeralda Semalu was embroiled in an early duel with Nillabomb (driven by Joshua Sutton) for the lead to the quarter in :27.2. Once in command, Esmeralda Semalu was able to rate the opening half in :57. She disposed a mild third quarter bid by Martha Brown (Bruce Ranger) to the final turn in 1:25. The career winner of almost $400,000 had a :28.3 closer in reserve to handily outstep Nillabomb. Another Judy (Jason Dillander) won the photo for the show position.

It was the 30th career win for ‘Esmeralda,’ a Quebec-bred daughter of Electric Stena--Anemone Semalu owned by BJR and AGC Stables of Boca Raton and Highland Beach, Florida. In South Florida, the mare is best remembered for her jaw-dropping 1:49.4 pacing mares track record spin on March 10, 2009. The mile was just one-fifth of a second from the all-age track record, held by Load The Dice.

“We’re not really sure who her first breeding will be to; I guess the big question is whether we’ll want her first foal to be for the sires stakes program in Pennsylvania or New York,” Pavia said. “Her final race is likely to be early in February of 2011. Then we’ll hope she can pass on her talent and toughness to her fillies and colts in her career as a broodmare.”

Saturday Night’s Tally: Over $400,000 In Purses

The draw has been completed for the 2010 Super Night at Pompano. Well over $400,000 in purses will be on the line in the Breeders Stakes Championships, which will conclude the four-event Fall Series of the Florida Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association (FSBOA).

The richest annual night in South Florida harness racing will commence with a non-wagering event for the three-year-old pacing colts and geldings at 6:45 p.m. on Saturday, December 11. The gala 12-race card will then follow in a showcase presentation for the state-bred program.

Through May of 2011, Pompano's first-race post time will be 7:05 p.m. EST every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday evening. Wednesday evening programs feature a $2,500 guaranteed Pick-4 pool. The scheduling exception in December will see a program added on Thursday, December 23 with no live racing on Saturday, December 25.

(Pompano)