Mc Tinys Hope and Just A Bee captured their respective Open events for mares Monday night at Pompano Park.

Mc Tinys Hope, a homebred daughter of CR Excalibur trained by John Mc Neil III for owner Ellen Mc Neil, captured the $13,500 Open Trot for mares giving young driver Ben Mc Neil his very first win in a race featuring a purse higher than $10,000.

The 24-year-old Mc Neil, who started driving last year and won 30 races, sent his charge on a backstretch blitz from fifth taking the lead on the strength of an individually timed quarter of :28 and then held off the late surging M T Ur Pockets by three-quarters of a length in 1:55.2. Trot Fudge Sundae rallied for third.

Nc Neil said, "It's quite a thrill competing against this exceptionally talented group of horsemen...and to win a race against them is pretty neat,” said Ben Mc Neil. “Of course, fame can be fleeting but, right now, I'm a pretty happy guy!"

Mc Tinys Hope won for the 22nd time in her career of 98 starts to send her lifetime bankroll to $115,524. She paid $12.80 to win.

The companion event for pacing mares--worth $12,500--went to Just A Bee, now considered the "Queen Bee" of the Open pacing ranks for distaffers.

The seven-year-old daughter of Mr Feelgood, trained and driven by Mike Micallef for owners Anita Micallef, John Mc Goff and Greg Heath, got yet another picture perfect journey to score in 1:50.3, equalling her lifetime best effort.

Away very alertly from the outside six post, Just A Bee settled in right behind Mcflirty and followed that one through lively panels of :27.1, :54.3 and 1:22.3 before leaving her cozy pocket turning for home and wearing the leader at the sixteenth pole to score by 1-1/4 lengths. P L Hula, the longest proposition in the field at 29-1, finished third

"My mare is really sharp now and very handy,” said driver Mike Micallef. “I didn't see too much action inside leaving--only Mcflirty--so I left and found a very comfortable spot back of her. We've kind of played musical chairs in the past with each of our mares beating the other on a few occasions. I got the perfect trip tonight. Who knows, maybe she'll get the perfect trip next time. But I'll certainly take this one!"

Just A Bee, a 10-race winner in 2014, earned her 26th lifetime victory to send her career bankroll to $155,566. Since arriving at Pompano Park, her scorecard reads 5-2-1 in eight starts, the last three of which are wins. She paid $5.60.

Pompano Park's Super Hi-5, once again, had multiple winners and the carryover going into the next racing program on Wednesday night is $26,637.05.

Post time for the Wednesday night 10 race card is 7:30 p.m.

(With files from Pompano Park)