Esmeralda Semala got a measure of revenge on Nip N Attack by winning the featured $25,000 Open Handicap pace for fillies and mares on Friday night at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs

.

Last week in the same class, Nip N Attack was able to defeat Esmeralda Semalu, who set a world record earlier this year at Pompano. It looked like an instant replay when Jim Morrill Jr. once again sent Nip N Attack to the lead. Trainer/driver Joe Pavia Jr. sat third with Esmeralda Semalu most of the way before unleashing her first over on the back stretch. The five-year-old mare sired by Electric Stena wrangled the lead away at the three-quarter pole and extended throughout the stretch for a 2 ¾-length win in 1:51:1. Gro rallied for second while Nip N Attack faded to third.

Esmeralda Semalu, a 9-5 second choice on the board, won for the seventh time in 11 starts in 2009. Owned by BJR Stables Inc. of Boca Raton and AGR Stables Inc. of Highland Beach, Florida, the mare pushed her career earnings over $257,000 with the win.

(Pocono Downs)