The relentless march up the class ladder at the Isle Casino Racing Pompano Park for Im Just Special reached the top on Friday evening, February 19, and she amply up to the task again
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The five-year-old Camluck-Ladys Special Girl mare has come all the way back from an off year in 2009, according to owner Ted Colby of Bronxville, New York. Last year she earned $8,500 after banking over $482,000 in her two and three-year-old campaigns. Susan Colby is a co-owner of the career winner of $504,101.
In the $13,000 Mares Open Pace, Im Just Special drew outside in the field of eight and Anthony Napolitano sent her to the front to overtake Joyful Years, in rein to Kevin Wallis, just before the quarter of :27.1. Hypnotize, with Bruce Ranger in tow, came with the first over challege near the half of :56.2 and when that one faded, Major Trap, with George Napolitano Jr., was next to take her shot nearing the third quarter completion in 1:24.2. Im Just Special was unurged to keep that rival at bay and nearing the wire, Esmeralda Semalu and Joe Pavia Jr. was the last danger when fanned out wide after a following trip for to the head of the stretch, but her bid was denied as Im Just Special was strong through the wire in 1:52.4.
This score by Im Just Special ran her win streak up to three and continued a great roll for trainer Tom Artandi. Starters from his care have returned for win photographs on seven of nine occasions in the 2009-2010 meet to date at the Isle.
Michigan import trainer Eric Beach lead all conditioners on Friday night with a pair of wins, lead by the fine roan mare Nillabomb. She made the most of a class drop to the Mares Open-2 level for a $10,000 purse and she wired the field from an outside start over five rivals in 1:53.2. Trifecta 246 Corporation of Linden, Michigan owns Nillabomb, the career winner of $268,641 after this win over Wild Ride Hanover, in rein to Tom Sells, and Lucy Lucy, with Matt Kakaley. Anthony Napolitano was also in the bike behind Nillabomb and he was the top reinsman on the February 19 card with three winners.
A big night is at hand in South Florida on February 20 at The Winter Capital Of Harness Racing. The Mildred Williams International Womens' Driving Series will lead off the proceedings in both ends of the daily double at the start of the 16-race doubleheader performance at 7:05 EST. Also on Saturday night, many of the horsemen connected with the Roosevelt Raceway Reunion weekend will be in attendance. Mike LaChance and Lucien Fontaine are tentatively scheduled for trackside interviews at about 9:15 p.m. in the intermission before the late night card begins.
(With files from Pompano Park)