by John Berry, for Pompano Park

Pompano Beach, FL — She’s not Just A Bee anymore — she’s the Queen Bee.

Just A Bee scored a repeat victory in Pompano Park’s $14,000 Open Handicap for fillies and mares on Monday night (Dec. 22) and in doing so stamped herself as the Queen Bee in a well endowed group in her top class.

Skip Smith photo

Just A Bee scored a repeat win in Pompano Park’s $14,000 Open Pace for fillies and mares, covering the mile in 1:51.4.

The talented 6-year-old daughter of Mr Feelgood, trained and driven by Mike Micallef for the consortium of Anita Micallef, John Mc Goff and Greg Heath, held off the furious late surge of De Vins Girl, handled by Rick Plano, to score by a neck in 1:51.4 to garner her 10th win of the year. McFlirty, with Ricky Macomber Jr. in the bike, finished third three-parts of a length back, edging out P L Hula for show honors. Mach Me Not picked up the nickel in the octet.

As the Hummer starting gate sprung the ladies loose, the 40-1 outsider Glam Cam blasted out with unusual alacrity, reaching the quarter in a snappy :26.1 with P L Hula settling in the pocket — though briefly — with Just A Bee also on the engine along with McFlirty with the latter two having no problems finding spots in third and fourth, respectively.

Right past the opener, P L Hula, driven by Kevin Wallis, circled up to take command and proceeded to take the field to a blazing half in :53.4. On the backside, Micallef sent Just A Bee charging up and was just a half-length away from P L Hula at the third station in 1:22.2.

Though P L Hula was in a brave and fighting mood, Just a Bee was able to squeak by in mid-stretch, holding off the surging De Vins Girl at the line with McFlirty and P L Hula also in the picture for top honors.

In a post race interview, driver Mike Micallef said, “My mare is very sharp, but so are the others and the three that were with me at the wire, well, we’re very evenly matched at this point, especially Luca’s (trainer Derrico) mare (De Vins Girl) who was really flying late.”

As the even money tote-board favorite, Just A Bee returned $4.00 to win. She’s now banked $66,345 for the year and $148,666 lifetime to go along with her mark of 1:50.3 set three starts back.

Tuesday night’s program features the $14,000 Open Handicap Trot with an evenly matched sextet going to the gate. M C Felix, fresh off of a 1:55 victory in a $20,000 claiming event and now in new hands, is the 5-2 lukewarm morning line favorite but Striker Ace, off of a lifetime best 1:54.4 winning performance, is expected to garner great support. TSMLIL Orphan Andy steps up to the top class after winning in 1:55.1 a week ago while Baby Boy Grin, no stranger to the Open class, and Dukester, second in last week’s Open, should also get their share of play. A newcomer to the group is Warrawee Promesse, who has banked more than $100,000 in just 12 starts this year.

Pompano Park’s Pick-4 on Tuesday night offers an all time high $25,000 guaranteed pool after that exotic wager was left unscathed on Monday night.

Post time is 7:30 p.m. for the 11-race program.