Quebec-bred Esmeralda Semalu not only won her debut race at Pompano Park on Tuesday, but the mare did it in style for trainer/driver Joe Pavia, Jr. with a last-to-first move on the final turn to win the $16,000 Mares Open Handicap Pace in 1:53.2.
The third race feature started off with Biggest Big Bertha going to the early lead and parking out Hypnotize to the opening quarter mile :27 seconds. Hypnotize then led the field to the half mile in :56.1 as Golden Falcon N came first-over in the backstretch and pushed the pace to the three-quarters in 1:25.1.
Meanwhile, Esmeralda Semalu and Pavia waited to make their move on the outside until the final turn and with a :27.1 final quarter mile, was able to zoom on by the field to win going away by more than two lengths. Golden Falcon N was second with Hypnotize fading to finish third.
It was just the second win this year for Esmeralda Semalu, a four-year-old mare by Electric Stena. The BJR and AGC Stables of Boca Raton own Esmeralda Semalu.
Pompano Park will be open for live racing New Year’s Eve with 12 races scheduled to start at 7:25 pm, but for the first time since 1999 there will be no Midnight Mile race.
(Pompano Park)