Velocity Vespa, withstanding severe pressure throughout much of her journey, extended her winning skein to four on Wednesday night, taking top honours in the $11,500 Open Handicap Pace for mares in 1:51.1 for George Napolitano Jr.
The six-year-old daughter of I Scoot Hanover, trained by Chris Oakes for owner Susan Oakes, was in an early war before taking command through a blazing :26 opening panel and then had to face pressure, first, from Safe From Terror (Matt Romano) through a :54.1 half and, then, from Pertty Music (Ed Hensley) binging three-deep on the backstretch before the third station (1:22.2). In the lane, Velocity Vespa began edging clear from these two and only had to hold off the ground-saving Classic Carpet (Wally Hennessey), which she did by a length. Art Frenzy rallied off of the hot fractions to finish third while Safe From Terror did finish fourth with Pertty Music coming in fifth in the million-dollar sextet of mares.
After the event, Napolitano Jr. said, "Geez, they threw everything but the kitchen sink at her tonight. We had to go some to get to the top and then she had to face the pressure most of the rest of the way. But she was up to the task. Obviously, Chris has her very sharp right now. She beat a very talented group tonight."
In keeping her 2016 record a perfect three-for-three, Velocity Vespa won for the 25th time in this, her 100th career start, sending her lifetime bounty to $183,487.
Off at a dime to a dollar, Velocity Vespa paid $2.20 to her multitude of backers.
In the Open 2 Pace for mares, Arodasi, driven by Joe Pavia Jr., used a backside blitz from third to overtake the favourite De Vins Girl (George Napolitano Jr.) and then go on to post a win measuring two and a quarter lengths over that one in 1:52.2. Jets Are On (Wally Hennessey) rallied for third over Limelight and Skyway Dusty, fourth and fifth, respectively.
De Vins Girl was away alertly to quickly take control and post opening splits of :27.2 and :56.1 with Keystone Christa in the garden spot and Arodasi next. Right at that second station, Pavia revved up Arodasi and she paced an individually timed third quarter in :27 to catch her rivals flat-hooved while opening up a daylight lead past that third station in 1:23.3, after which she was on cruise control through a :28.4 finale.
Owned by Peter Shank along with the AGC Stables and the Joe Pavia Jr. Stables, Arodasi won for the initial time this season and 29th time career-wise, vaulting her earnings to $366,466.
As the 2-1 second choice, Arodasi paid a $6.40 dividend on all $2 investments.
(With files from Pompano Park)