by John Berry, for Pompano Park

Pompano Beach, FL — All Charged Up, a bridesmaid to Godiva Seelster last week by the slimmest of nostrils, took top honors on Tuesday night (April 19) at Pompano Park, winning the featured $9,500 Open Pace for mares in 1:52.4.

Owner-trainer John MacDonald was in the sulky for the victory, measuring one length over a game Heart Major, driven by Joe Pavia Jr. Limelight, handled by Kevin Wallis, finished third, while Virginnaire was fourth. Goldstar Rockette picked up the nickel in the field of nine.

Despite having the eight post, it was expected that All Charged Up would leave with her usual alacrity but when the Hummer Starting Gate left the station, all mares from posts one through five showed speed from the get-go. When the dust settled around the opening turn, it was Limelight emerging with the lead with Heart Major settling right behind with All Charged Up, half-leaving from the outside, finding a spot in third with Virginnaire next and Winbak Heavenly on the outside.

With the pace hot with the opener in :26.2 and half in :54.3, Limelight continued on the front end heading into the final turn. That’s when Pavia sent Heart Major on the prowl with All Charged Up following her live cover past the third station in 1:23.2. In the lane, Heart Major took command but at mid-stretch All Charged Up had her measured and brushed on by for the win — her third of the year in 13 starts.

In a post-race interview, driver John MacDonald related, “You know my mare can rattle out of the gate pretty good, but all the inside ones had that same idea so I just kind of went half-leaving looking for a spot closer up. I was lucky enough to find one in third. If I hadn’t found it, it would have been a whole different story. When Joe (Pavia) pulled going into the final turn, I tried to follow him but we were gapped a little bit and it took my mare a little longer to rev it up and get going. I’m going to give her some time off now on the farm. She deserves some ‘r and r.’ She’s been mighty good to me.”

The victory was the 15th career-wise for All Charged Up and she now sports lifetime earnings of $158,364 in 72 starts. Off at 1-2 on the toteboard, All Charged Up returned $3.00 to her many faithful.

The popular Over The Hill Gang trot, featuring 9-year-olds and up, was also on the Tuesday card featuring a field of seven with combined earnings of more than $2.4 million encompassing more than 1,400 lifetime starts and driver John MacDonald made it a driving double by guiding Go Jesse Go to a near wire-to-wire victory in 1:57.

This 9-year-old son of Jailhouse Jesse took command around the first turn and wired together panels of :28.3, :58.1 and 1:27.1 before long striding his way home in :29.4 to score the win measuring 1-1/2 lengths over Adenium, driven by Matt Romano, with the favorite, I’ll Tell You What, teamed up with Dave Ingraham, third. On The Tab and Flashy Lady picked up the minors.

Trained by Leon Cable for owner Anthony Chiniara, the win was the second straight for Go Jesse Go and 26th lifetime, sending his career bankroll to $130,249 — $18,490 this semester. Off as the 3-1 second choice, Go Jesse Go returned an $8.00 dividend on a $2 investment.

Also of note on Tuesday night, the Pick-5 went unscathed and with a $2,913 carryover, Sunday night’s Pick-5 has a $10,000 guaranteed pool. The Pick-5 covers races one through five. Post time is 7:30 p.m.