Pertty Music, superbly handled by George Napolitano Jr., pulled off a mild upset in the $11,000 Open Pace for the mares on Wednesday night (January 25), stopping the timer in 1:52.1.
The seven-year-old daughter of Jeremes Jet, first, got by the heavily favuored Wild Wanda (Richard Macomber Jr.) and, then, held off the late-surging Metro Glide (Tom Jackson) and Jets Are On (Wally Hennessey) to score by a half-length.
Wild Wanda finished fourth after cutting panels of :27.1, :56 and 1:23.3 while OK Heavenly, in the garden spot back of Wild Wanda throughout most of the journey, was fifth in the sextet, though less than two lengths away at the finish.
After the event, driver George Napolitano Jr. remarked, “This is the first time I drove this mare. Rod (trainer Lorenzo) said she was good last week but stepping up, so I really didn’t know what to expect.
“I was reluctant to pull on Ricky’s (Macomber) mare (Wild Wanda) as she looked the best on paper and I felt that the pace was quickening, so I decided to sit a bit longer that normal. When we turned for home, I asked and she answered.
“She’s got some class to her, this mare does, so I wasn’t that surprised when she responded the way she did!”
Trained by Rod Lorenzo, who co-owns with Souren Hovsepian, Pertty Music won for the 27th time during her career with her lifetime bankroll surging over the $340,000 plateau.
As third choice in the wagering, Pertty Music paid $11.80 to win.
Racing continues on Saturday night with an eight-race program highlighted by the continuing heated battle among many of the nation’s leading amateur drivers. Of particular interest is the third race on Saturday featuring the Florida Amateur Driving Club as the eight starters have combined lifetime earnings of $2,855,350 and 247 career victories. The $406,000 winner A Crown For Lindy, has been installed as the morning line favourite in that event and will have Dein Spriggs in the sulky, himself a winner of 425 races. Post time is set for 7:20 p.m.
(With files from Pompano Park)