Hold the phone, not so fast, maybe Pompano's track record holding older pacing mare won't be retired from racing next month after all

. A few weeks ago, trainer-driver Joe Pavia Jr. said that Esmeralda Semalu will soon begin her second career as a broodmare.

"After her performance tonight the thought entered my mind that maybe we should keep her racing," says co-owner Stanley Levin of the AGC Stables of Highland Beach, FL. "That was an iron tough mile that she went. She had to battle with all she had in the first quarter against Nillabomb and Im Just Special. To still have that move left for the stretch and win comfortably will cause us to at least have a conversation about whether she should keep racing. If Joe (Pavia Jr.) and the other owners think it's time to retire her then it will be great to see her go out at the top of her game," he adds. Her place remains secure in the speed records chart as the fastest mare in the track's 47 year history at 1:49.4.

The January 4 effort was typical of the toughness that Esmeralda Semalu has displayed over the course of her career. In the Mares top class handicap event for a $12,000 purse, the daughter of Electric Stena-Anemone Semalu was embroiled in a hotly contested first quarter of :26.2 with Nillabomb (Dan Clements) and Im Just Special (Bruce Ranger). From the quarter onward Esmeralda Semalu enjoyed a pocket trip behind Im Just Special and when shown clear road in the stretch she drew away to score handily in 1:51.1. It was her 32nd career win and improved her career bankroll to more than $406,000. Levin also indicated a final decision is still pending on whether Esmeralda Semalu's first breeding would be to a New York or Pennsylvania sire.

On Wednesday evening, the top weekly handicap trot heads to the gate for a $12,000 purse. Post time is 7:05 p.m EST every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday at The Winter Capital Of Harness Racing. Program pages, replays, and race night streaming are all offered for free in the 'racing' section of the track's website.

(Isle Pompano Park)