by John Berry, for Pompano Park
Pompano Beach, FL — All Charged Up, driven by John MacDonald, took home top honors in Pompano Park’s $11,000 Open Handicap Pace for mares on Tuesday night (Dec. 26), covering the distance in 1:53.3.
Skip Smith photo
All Charged Up, driven by John MacDonald, took top honors in Pompano Park’s feature for mares on Tuesday night.
The 6-year-old daughter of Ponder got picture perfect handling in scoring the half-length decision over Northern Dali, catch-driven by Rick Plano. Wild Wanda, making her seasonal debut at Pompano Park, finished a very fast closing third, just a length off the winner. Sue’s Night Out finished fourth while Galarina picked up the nickel in the classy octet.
At the outset, All Charged Up, leaving from post seven, left with alacrity and took command at the first quarter from Galarina (Andy Santeramo) in :27.2 — but not for long. Just past that opening station, Galarina forged back to the front with All Charged Up on the helmet of the leader through subsequent fractions of :56.2 and 1:24.4.
At this stage, Galarina continued to show the way with pressure being applied by Machin Marley on the outside with All Charged Up chilly along the pylons patiently awaiting for a seam and Wild Wanda, last early, on a double-bubble binge which took her flying four wide and just a couple of lengths away.
Once they straightened away, All Charged Up did find that seam, charged up to take command from Galarina before holding Northern Dali and Wild Wanda safe on the wire.
In a post race interview, trainer-driver John MacDonald related, “She got another great trip tonight. When Ricky’s (Macomber) mare (Wild Wanda from post eight) didn’t leave, that helped my cause a lot because I knew I’d be seven or eight lengths up on her early — and that turned out to be the difference.
“My mare likes to race off the helmet anyhow and once Andy (Santeramo) re-took, I got that helmet trip.
“All Charged Up has been through a lot since she was injured and had to go through several months of rehab to try and make it back to the track. Not only did she make it back, she seems better than ever now.”
Owned by J P Stables, All Charged Up won for the ninth time in 18 seasonal starts to push her 2017 earnings to $51,660. The win also vaulted her career bankroll over the $275,000 plateau — $275,082 to be precise. As the lukewarm 8-5 favorite, All Charged Up paid $5.40 to her many faithful.
MacDonald also won three other events on the card giving him a grand slam on the Tuesday night card. Major Master Piece ($3.80), Always A Tiger ($8.80) and Iced Out ($14.40) also reached the winner’s circle for MacDonald, sending his yearly total to 306.
Racing continues on Wednesday night with a special Thursday night card also on the agenda. Pompano Park’s Super Hi-5 swelled over the $25,000 on Tuesday night — $25.082.20 to be precise. Post time is 7:20 p.m.