Crystal Chris ($29.40) and driver Tom Sells showed a field of eight pacing fillies and mares what its like to step out at the Isle Pompano Park to capture the $25,000 first leg of the Girls Night Out late-closing event Tuesday night
Wally Hennessey rushed Atlantic Filly from Post 4 looking for the top spot but had to settle for the two-hole trip when Fern Paquet, Jr. and Hypnotize accelerated from Post 8 to gain the lead at the quarter-mile marker in :27.1. Hypnotize carried the field to the half in :56.1 and paced by the three-quarters in 1:24.
Hennessey pulled Atlantic Filly from the pocket and battled head and head with Hypnotize down the homestretch, but it was driver Tom Sells and Crystal Chris sitting 2-1/4 lengths from the leaders making up ground to capture the win by 1-1/4 lengths in 1:53.1 over Atlantic Filly (Wally Hennessey) and Shytown Lightning (Andy Santeramo) finishing third.
It was the first win of the season in four starts for the five-year-old Dragon Again mare with lifetime earnings over $173,000 for trainer/owner Ned Simmons.
(Pompano Park)