OK Heavenly, driven by Kevin Wallis, won a long stretch battle with Goldstar Rockette, handled by Mickey McNichol, to earn a photo finish decision in Pompano Park’s $10,000 Open Pace for mares on Wednesday night (March 22).
The official margin was a “head” at the end of the 1:51.3 journey with Gweneeee J, with Jim Meittinis handling her lines next, five and three-quarter lengths away. Machin Marley, last in the sextet turning for home, rallied for fourth while Miss Dollar Mam finished fifth after being prominent in the early stages.
The favoured Jets Are On failed to turn on her afterburners this night and finished sixth.
As the Hummer’s wings folded, Goldstar Rockette, leaving from post five, blasted off those wings along with Miss Dollar Mam, beginning from post six. “Rockette” was intent on the lead through an opening panel in a sizzling :26.4 with Miss Dollar Mam her usual one and a quarter lengths away, a spot and distance where she’s occupied in 12 of her past 13 starts.
With the half in :55.4, things began to heat up on the backside as OK Heavenly marched up first-over to engage Goldstar Rockette in war. These two were nostrils apart past the third station in 1:23.4.
In the lane, Goldstar Rockette took the turn for home snugly and opened up a bit on her main foe, but OK Heavenly kept gnawing away, gaining the slight advantage crossing the wire.
After the race, driver Kevin Wallis related, “Well, that was quite something. My mare must have paced her last half around :55 or so to get it done.
“It certainly wasn’t a question of Mickey’s mare [Goldstar Rockette] relenting as she kept going right to the line, too. It was just a classic fight to the finish that could have gone either way.”
For OK Heavenly, a five-year-old daughter of Sportswriter, the win was her fourth of the season in 11 starts good for $29,775.
Lifetime, the classy mare has 17 wins in 76 starts with career bounty of $191,040.
Trained by Angela Coleman for owners Mark Winship and Dandy Farms, OK Heavenly was second choice on the toteboard at 8-5 and returned $5.40 to win.
Racing continues on Sunday night with a sharp million-dollar quintet going postward in the $12,000 Open Pace. Drachan Hanover will match strides with Rockntouch, Pointsman, King Of The Crop and Sing For Me George in that event, carded as the second race on the 11-race program.
In the “better for the bettor” department, Sunday’s Pick-4 pool has been guaranteed at $20,000. The Pick-4 will be conducted on races six through nine.
Post time is 7:20 p.m.
(With files from Pompano Park)