For the second week in a row, the $14,200 Open Pace for mares ended up in a dead-heat as The Stunning Nun N and Powered By Mach couldn't be separated at the wire.
Both gallant mares used their best strategy to gain the tie as Powered By Mach, driven by Joe Chindano Jr. put her best hoof forward early while The Stunning Nun N, handled by Wally Hennessey, as usual, deferred her best stride after a speedy opening half. Both strategies worked as they shared the winner's circle after a 1:52.1 mile. Ourlittlemiracle (David Miller) finished third, just a neck off the top pair, while Tuapeka Jessie N finished fourth. Vicious Circle picked up the nickel in the talented sextet.
As the wings folded, Powered By Mach soared off the wings and sizzled an opening panel of :26.3 before yielding to Ourlittlemiracle, who took command three-eighths in and rambled over to the half in a hot :55. At this juncture, Roll With Angel was third while Tuapeka Jessie N was next over The Stunning Nun N and Vicious Circle.
Three-eighths from the wire, Powered By Mach left the coziness of the pocket as The Stunning Nun N began to roll forcing her hand as Ourlittlemiracle reached the third station in 1:23.3.
In the lane, these three fanned across the racetrack with Powered By Mach and The Stunning Nun N in a back-and-forth duel to the wire, with the final result being a "tie!"
"To tell you the truth, I thought I had a nose in front late and Joey's mare [Powered By Mach] came back at me," said Hennessey after the race. "Both mares raced their hearts out and I am satisfied with a 'heater' any day! You know, it's tough getting acclimated to new surroundings but, as usual, Mike [trainer Deters] has done another great job."
Chindano related, "My mare went a gigantic mile as she was used early and then had to go again into the final turn or get locked in. Once we straightened away, it was nip and tuck all the way home and I was very proud of her accomplishment here stepping up to the top class."
The Stunning Nun N, a seven-year-old daughter of Bettors Delight and a recent import from "down under," earned her initial win for Deters, who co-owns with Joel Warner, John Manning and Barbara Jensen.
Powered By Mach, a five-year-old daughter of Mach Three, is trained by Chindano Jr., for Fox Racing Inc., and she earned her fourth win of the year in a dozen starts, good for $28,664 this semester and $138,857 lifetime.
The Stunning Nun N, off at 2-1, returned $3.80 in sharing the win pool while Powered By Mach, 10-1 on the board, paid $9.20.
The $12,600 Open II Pace for mares went to Sea Shadows for Hennessey in 1:52. Hennessey trains the seven-year-old daughter of Shadow Play for Paul O'Neil and she put together panels of :27.1, :56 and 1:24.1 before a sharp :27.4 finale left her three lengths clear of Perfect Blue Chip with Donegalartchokin N next. Rigginswind was fourth while Primo Extremo picked up the nickel.
Sea Shadows pushed her 2022 scorecard to 4-0-2 in 11 starts, good for $32,824 this ear and $269,321 lifetime.
She paid $3.20 to win.
Racing continues on Sunday night with a $15,000 guaranteed pool in the popular Pick-4, bolstered by an industry low 12 per cent takeout and a Super Hi-5 finale with a carryover of $120,182. Post time is set for 7:20 p.m.
(With files from Pompano Park)