GT Miss Royal captured the $12,500 final of the Success Cameo Late Closer at Pompano Park on Wednesday, December 4, stopping the timer in 1:53.3.
The 10-year-old daughter of Pilgrims Punch was driven to her half-length victory by Jason Dillander, who was in the bike for trainer Fred Cohen and owner Ryan Bellamy.
To Tell The Truth, handled by Rick Plano, finished second, while Tip N Go was third for Wally Hennessey. Slickety Split and Foxy Ginger picked up the final two cheques.
It was Tip N Go that was on the bullet train first, and she took the field to the quarter in a sharp :26.4. To Tell The Truth and Harlem Rockturne also showed gate speed. Plano then made a quarter move to the top and took the field halfway through the mile in :56.1 with Powdered Donut on the attack and Tip N Go enjoying a garden journey in third.
As they straightened away for the backstretch tour, GT Miss Royal was on the move from fifth, but was forced into a three-wide move as her cover faltered. To Tell The Truth used her muscle to take the field past the three-quarters mark in 1:24.1 and actually forced GT Miss Royal back towards the inside turning for home.
In mid-stretch, it looked like To Tell The Truth was home free, but GT Miss Royal exploded by in the final yards to reach the winner's circle for the 30th time in her career, but only the third time this year.
After the race, Dillander said, "I thought we were pretty much going for the minors when we turned for home, but she got a second wind and blew by late. She gave me a good hint in her last start when she finished second, but I really didn't think we were going to catch the leader, especially after that three-wide move around the final turn."
GT Miss Royal was the narrow second choice in the wagering and returned $11.40 on a successful Win wager.
Sent away as the third post-time choice on the toteboard, Pure Barre ($11.60) won the $10,000 Open Trot for driver Kevin Wallis in a new lifetime mark of 1:54. Pure Barre is owned by her trainer, Tom Gonsalves.
The Open 2 Trot went to CJs Rascal, who stopped the clock in 1:56.1 for Hauck's Racing Stable. Dutchess Seelster won the Open 3 Trot for trainer Don Glowacki and driver Wally Hennessey in 1:55.
(With files from Pompano)