by John Berry, for Pompano Park

Pompano Beach, FL — Diamond Dagger, handled by Mark O’Mara, was a gem on Monday night (Dec. 28), putting a dagger in her six foes in Pompano Park’s Open Trot for fillies and mares.

Skip Smith photo

Diamond Dagger proved superior in Pompano Park’s Open Trot for fillies and nares on Monday night.

The only 3-year-old in the field, Diamond Dagger stopped the timer in 1:55, establishing a new lifetime mark, considering her other 1:55 win was over the larger oval at Hoosier Park. Elin, handled by Andy Santeramo and last in the early stages, finished second, 1-3/4 lengths away, while Hall Pass Helen, last turning for home, rallied to finish third for Wally Hennessey. McKenzie’s Star finished fourth and She’s All In annexed the final award.

As the wings folded, the trio of Selena, Saint Patty’s Doll and She’s All In all went searching for the lead with Hall Pass Helen, unhurried during that early fray next and Diamond Dagger, beginning from the outside seven post, looking for a spot a bit closer and finding that seat in fifth.

When the early dust settled, Selena, benefitting from her post two, took command and lit up the timer at the opening station in :27.1 before gliding over to the half in :57.2.

Just short of that marker, Elin pulled, forcing Diamond Dagger’s hand a bit and these two marched forward on the backside with Diamond Dagger brushing up to take a short lead over Selena at the three-quarter mark in 1:26.2 with Elin moving into contention turning for home.

In the lane, it was Diamond Dagger drawing clear with Elin giving futile chase to the wire but never threatening the leader and eventual winner.

In a post race interview, the humble Mark O’Mara said, “My filly raced very well tonight. She doesn’t seem to want to leave all that hard so I just kind of floated her out of there looking for a spot just a little closer up. Fortunately, I found one in fifth ahead of Fern’s (Paquet) trotter (McKenzie’s Star) who I remember was coming off a qualifier and Andy (driving Elin).

“Around that half, I pulled and my filly responded!”

When asked if racing the 3-year-old against older mares might be a hindrance, O’Mara joked, “Heck, in a couple of days, she’ll be four!”

Owned by O’Mara, along with Paul Johnson and Melvin Schmucker, this daughter of ABC Garland won for the eighth time this year in 30 starts, good for $79,007. As the 3-1 third choice on the board, Diamond Dagger paid $8.20 to win.

Also on Monday, fireworks were set for the Tuesday program when nary one ticket had all five winners in Pompano Park’s Pick-5. With the carryover at $5,087, track management has guaranteed a $20,000 pool for Tuesday’s Pick-5, which begins with race one. The Super Hi-5 also had multiple winners on Monday night and the carryover for the Tuesday night finale has ballooned to $17,278.35. Post time is 7:30 p.m.