Godiva Seelster, again handled splendidly by Wally Hennessey, took top honoors in the $11,000 Open Handicap Pace for mares on Wednesday night (March 15), stopping the timer in 1:52.1.
The seven-year-old daughter of Camluck conquered coolish temperatures (low 60’s) and an outside post (six) in defeating five rivals after taking command an eighth into the mile and recording panels of :27.3, :56.2 and 1:24.2 before an effortless :27.4 sprint home left her with a one and three-quarter length margin over Sweet Bet, driven by Ricky Macomber Jr. Goldstar Rockette, with John MacDonald in the bike, was another neck back in third while OK Heavenly finished fourth. Jets Are On picked up the minor award in the sextet.
As the wings on the Hummer Starting Gate folded, Goldstar Rockette and Godiva Seelster both left with alacrity in search of the lead with the latter taking command around the opening turn while Goldstar Rockette yielded and OK Heavenly settled into third. Misssomebeach Blue was next followed by Jets Are On and an unhurried Sweet Bet.
Positions remained in check through the hal way juncture with an outer flow materializing on the backside when OK Heavenly, Misssomebeach Blue and Jets Are On tilted out allowing Sweet Bet to steadily improve her position along the inside.
In the lane, Godiva Seelster maintained her comfortable advantage with only Sweet Bet, continuing to take the shortest route home, able to dent the winner’s margin — but not seriously.
After the race, Wally Hennessey remarked, “I have said this before, I know, but this is a very special mare. She takes such good care of herself in the stall and does everything asked of her.
“She is absolutely amazing. Only one missed cheque in the last five seasons and, to tell you the truth, it wasn’t her fault — it was mine. I got her parked to the half in :54 and a piece one night or her streak of getting cheques would be well over 100.
“Tonight, she was perfect — like she always is!”
Trained by new Florida Hall of Fame inductee Dan Hennessey for owners Paul and Patricia O’Neil, Godiva Seelster now sports a 2-2-0 scorecard in five starts, good for earnings of $17,545. Lifetime, she has 41 wins in 116 starts and bounty of $362,532.
As the 1-5 toteboard favourite, Godiva Seelster paid $22.60 to win.
Racing continues on Sunday night with an 11-race program highlighted by a well-matched field in the $12,000 Open 1 Handicap Pace. Drachan Hanover and First Of Itskind, both winners in Open competition in their last respective starts, will do battle against Sing For Me George, King Of The Crop, Rockntouch and Fritzie Pic Up Man.
Post time is set for 7:20 p.m.
(With files from Pompano Park)