by John Berry, for Pompano Park

Pompano Beach, FL — McFlirty, perfectly driven by Ricky Macomber Jr., pulled off a minor upset at Pompano Park on Monday night (Dec. 8) by winning the $12,000 Open Handicap Pace for fillies and mares.

Skip Smith photo

McFlirty pulled off a mild upset in Pompano Park’s top pace for the fillies and mares on Monday night.

The 8-year-old daughter of McArdle, trained by Jamie Rucker for owner James Stonecipher, scored in 1:51.4, rudely interrupting the three race winning streak of Pertty Music, driven by Ed Hensley, off at a dime-to-a-dollar in the betting. Winbak Heavenly, with Peter Wrenn in the bike, was third, four lengths away while Mach Me Not finished fourth. Kayla’s Dream picked up the minor award in the field of six.

It was McFlirty first away as the wings folded with Pertty Music, slightly off the gate at the start before revving up, on to take command at the opening panel in :27.2.

Positions remained unchanged with Pertty Music comfortably in front after a moderate half in :56.1. The pace began to quicken on the backside with Hensley seemingly after his mare a bit through a :28 third quarter.

It was a few strides later that Macomber left the coziness of the pocket with McFlirty, pulling on even terms at mid-stretch and edging clear by three parts of a length at the wire.

In a post race interview, driver Ricky Macomber said, “I thought my mare would be better this week, especially after getting a good tightener in her first start here last week. She can leave a little so I gave her a chance to get into the action early on knowing that Eddie’s mare (Pertty Music) would probably like to have the front end. The trip was perfect…nice and cozy.”

When asked if he was surprised to get by an overwhelming favorite, he said, “We’ve beaten his mare before in Indiana, so I wasn’t overly surprised — but very pleased! She raced great.”

Earning her 40th lifetime victory, McFlirty pushed her 2014 scorecard to 6-2-1 in just 16 starts, pushing her seasonal earnings to $60,680. She’s backed $448,196 lifetime to go along with her mark of 1:49.3. As second choice in the betting, McFlirty paid $8.80 to win.