Too Salty and Crystal Chris captured their respective $20,000 Open assignments on Wednesday at Pompano

Park, and they did so much to the delight of the favourite players.

Sent off as the 1-5 choice, Too Salty was allowed to settle off the speed in the early part of the mile before making a steady bid from first-over for driver Bruce Ranger. The gelding eventually wore down O Georgie, who set the pace, en route to a 1:54.1 victory. Runner-up O Georgie was a length behind the winner, and Indian Hill Rocket rounded out the top three.

It was a lifetime mark for the five-year-old son of SJs Caviar, who entered tonight’s tilt fresh off a win in last week’s $42,500 final of the Trots N Slots Series. William Weaver, III of Freehold, NJ co-owns Too Salty with trainer Doug Miller of Lake Worth, FL.

In a dramatic four-horse photo finish, Crystal Chris and driver Tom Sells were able to come back after being passed in the backstretch to post a nose victory in 1:54.3 in the $20,000 Mares Open Pace.

Hypnotize led the field to the quarter pole in :27.4 with Crystal Chris sitting in the pocket position. Sells brushed the five-year-old daughter of Dragon Again to the front shortly after the opening stanza was reached, and she walked the field to the mid-way point in :58 seconds. Atlantic Filly powered up to challenge and then overtake Crystal Chris on the way to the three-quarter pole in 1:25.2.

Crystal Chris, who was sent off as the 6-5 favourite, found clearance in the lane and used a :29-second final frame to rally for the narrow decision in a time of 1:54.3. M A Jackie’s stretch kick came up a nose short. Atlantic Filly was third, a mere head behind the top two finishers.

It was the third win in the last four starts for Crystal Chris, who is owned and trained by Ned Simmons of Margate, FL.

(With files from Pompano Park)

To view Wednesday’s results, click here.