by Debbie Schaut, for Pompano Park

Pompano Beach, FL — Crystal Chris ($29.40) and driver Tom Sells showed a field of eight pacing fillies and mares what it’s like to step out at the Isle Pompano Park in capturing the $25,000 first leg of the Girls Night Out late closing event on Tuesday night (April 14).

Lap Time Photo – Skip Smith

Crystal Chris won the first leg of the Girls Night Out in 1:53.1.

Wally Hennessey rushed Atlantic Filly from post four looking for the top spot but had to settle for the two-hole trip when Fern Paquet, Jr. and Hypnotize accelerated from post eight 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 who made up ground to capture the win by 1-1/4 lengths in 1:53.1. Atlantic Filly was second and Shytown Lightning (Andy Santeramo) finished third.

It was the first win of the season in four starts for the 5-year-old Dragon Again mare with lifetime earnings of over $173,000 for trainer/owner Ned Simmons.