by Steve Wolf, Senior Director Racing Operations

POMPANO BEACH FLA — After three early lead changes, Golden Falcon N ($9.00) and driver David Ingraham took command of the lead for good and just held on at the wire Friday at the isle pompano park in winning the $11,000 mares winners-over pace by a long beak (nose) in 1:53.

Lap Time Photo – Skip Smith

GOLDEN FALCON N just holds off Hypnotize by a nose to win the $11,000 winners-over pace for mares Friday at the isle pompano park in 1:53.

The 4th race featured pace started out with Cape Cove Daisy (Gaston Lareau) the first to show on the lead from the starting gate as Catalina Morgan and driver Bruce Ranger from post eight were winging on the outside and they took command by the opening quarter mile in :27.1.

But that lead was short lived as Hypnotize with Dan Clements was also on the move and they grabbed control of the front after the first quarter. It was then that Ingraham had Golden Falcon N, who had started from the far outside in post nine, made a bold move and got to the lead before the half mile pole in :55.2.

Entering the backstretch, Golden Falcon N had little time to settle in as Stonebridge Capri and trainer/driver Jim McDonald came challenging first-over to pressure the leader with Catalina Morgan following on the outside second-over to the three-quarter mile mark in 1:24.

Then after the final turn, Golden Falcon N was still in command as they started down the stretch, but Hypnotize found clearance and started to gain ground on Golden Falcon N, but it was too late a charge as Golden Falcon N just held on to win in a photo finish by a nose. Hypnotize was second and Stonebridge Capri finished third.

It was the second straight win and sixth victory of the year for Golden Falcon N. The 9-year-old New Zealand-bred mare by Falcon Seelster from the Nero’s BB mare, Kanegold, is owned by the Berry Stables of Staten Island, NY and is trained by Paul Bernardo. It was her 25th career victory.