A 74 degree evening brought out a full house trackside to say a final goodbye from Pompano to Esmeralda Semalu, arguably the greatest race mare in the South Florida track's 47-year history
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"I had some mixed feelings about it but the deal to retire her was pretty much done last fall," says trainer and driver Joe Pavia Jr. "She gave me some signs last year that it would soon be time for her to wrap up her racing career and she went out with a great effort in finishing second to a millionaire (Not Enough) last night. Another owner with me, Steven Held, has bought a one-third interest in Esmeralda Semalu and in the first foal by Bettors Delight, which I'm really looking forward to breaking, training, and driving," he adds.
Pavia also recalled in detail the 1:49.4 track record performance by Esmeralda Semalu in March of 2009.
"We'd bought her at the Meadowlands Mixed Sale and as I recall we gave $72,000 for her," Pavia explains. "Her first trainer in Quebec, Pierre Touchette, was really great about telling me everything about her. He assured me not to be worried that she hadn't raced as a two-year-old because of a bone chip taken out of a knee. We made over $270,000 with her and a bit before the track record she had a throat palate surgery. It was a warm night like tonight and that night I should've paid closer attention to how much we were going because she won with lots left," he recalls.
Before the recent parceling out of an ownership share to Steven Held, Esmeralda Semalu's papers were held by Judith Klein Gilbert of Boca Raton (BJR Stables) and Stanley H. Levin of Highland Beach, Florida (AGC Stables).
"This was the first horse I ever owned and I couldn't have imagined in 2008 what a great ride the next four years would be," Levin said. "I bought a share of her strictly on Joe's recommendation. What enormous fun and what an investment...and now I get to learn what the next phase of having a broodmare will be like too."
Making the retirement blanket and photo presentation to the connections of Esmeralda Semalu was John Yinger, the Director Of Racing Operations at The Isle Casino Racing Pompano Park. Pavia was joined for the festivities by his wife, Dawn-Marie, and their recently adopted two month old son, Michael Joseph.
Top Trot Shocker
The $14,000 weekly top class trot handicap on the Wednesday, February 2 program at The Isle Casino Racing Pompano Park produced an unexpected twist when heavily favoured Fancy Shot made a sudden break when leading after posting the half in :58.1. Last week, Fancy Shot earned a life's mark of 1:54 in his first start for owner-trainer Tracy Brainard but reverted to the quirky ways of his past when moved up to the top class for this start.
Inheriting the lead in the third quarter was P C Moonshine in rein to George Napolitano, with Keystone Thomas partnered by Doug Brown right behind. P C Moonshine stepped over to the third quarter pole in 1:26.3 and held the lead until late in the stretch, when Brown brought Keystone Thomas on past for a 19-1 upset in 1:55.1. Yankee Manny, the longest odds offering in the field, closed up for third with John Filipelli Jr. in the bike.
Keystone Thomas thus earned his second win in four trips this year. The five-year-old Revenue S-Yankee Taboo gelding won 11 of 27 starts last year, and is trained by Stewart Nemiro of the Bruce Ranger Stable for Pompano Beach owner Fred Monteleone.
Ranger In His Own Words
After recently reaching the 8,000 win plateau at The Isle Casino Racing Pompano Park, Bruce Ranger gave a humble and heartfelt interview in the winner's circle. Ranger is the winningest driver in the entire history of Pompano Park dating to 1964, and the interview was captured by track cameraman Salvatore Rubino.
(Pompano Park)