The win price mutuels in the top events warmed up in a big way just like the weather for the Friday evening, January 15 program at The Isle Pompano Park
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As seasonal temperatures of 72 degrees (22 C.) were welcomed back in South Florida a pair of Mares Open Pace events were carded - and surprisingly the lowest priced of the two winners was $27.20 in the $13,000 purse top event.
Esmerala Semalu was riding a three-race win streak into the January 15 test and from an assigned outside start in the field of seven starters, Joe Pavia Jr. sent her through fractions of :27.1, :55.4, and 1:23.1. Bling, last week's second place finisher in a photo, never got closer than third from another first over bid this time out though she was able to hold on to the show position. Hot on the heels of the pacemaking 'Esmeralda' all the way was Nillabomb and by mid-stretch Anthony Napolitano had her out for clear sailing to capture a 12-1 upset and life's mark 1:51.2.
"It looked last week like she was locked in until a little too late and this time the trip couldn't have been more perfect," said trainer Eric Beach of Nillabomb after this life's mark effort. "Plus in the past week I trained everything in my stable up a little better."
Nillabomb is a five-year-old mare by Admirals Galley-Be A Little Lady owned by Trifecta 246 Stable of Linden, MI. Her Michigan pedigree roots are reflected by the fact she has the same roan and grey colouring as Michigan's most famous offspring of Admirals Galley, Admirals Express. The durable mare has started 67 times in her career and earned a life's speed badge in her 27th career win.
The night's fine work by driver Anthony Napolitano was far from over after the upset win with Nillabomb. He was the track's top driver for the 2008-2009 meet and he was right back with a duplicate pocket trip score in the very next race. Eight-year-old Keystone Raider-Years Of Joy mare Joyful Years was under perfect handling from Napolitano to topple seven rivals in a conditioned event in 1:53.4 for owner Anthony Ross of Sweet Valley, PA, and trainer Jodi Bendick.
Friday evening's undercard featured a $10,000 purse Mares Open-2 Pace, and this time the winner was sent off at over 15-1. Favourite Hypnotize, with Joe Pavia Jr. in tow, brushed to the front in third quarter but tracking her cover out in the flow was Coreys Apache, driven by Dan Clements. In late stretch, Hypnotize weakened just enough to allow Coreys Apache and M A Jackie, with Bruce Ranger, to get by. Coreys Apache, by Apaches Fame from Keystone Amelia, races for the ownership of Pompano Park's hottest trainer thus far in 2010, Fred Cohen of Coconut Creek. Cohen has won 26 times from 85 starts this meet. Coreys Apache handled this move up from claiming company to score her second straight win in three starts thus far in 2010.
Each of the doubleheader programs on Saturday evening January 16 features a top class event. The $13,000 Open Pace is featured in the 7:05 p.m. program and the $13,000 Open Trot is highlighted in the 9:45 p.m. card.
(Pompano Park)