by John Berry, for Pompano Park

Pompano Beach, FL — Just A Bee, strategically handled by Mike Micallef, got a bit of revenge on arch-rival Godiva Seelster, with Wally Hennessey in the bike, on Tuesday (Oct. 13) night at Pompano Park, eking out a narrow win in 1:52.3 after an epic battle in the Open Pace for Mares.

Just a Bee, handled by Mike Micallef, eked out a narrow win at Pompano Park in 1:52.3, this after an epic battle with Godiva Seelster.

The 7-year-old daughter of Mr Feelgood assigned with the six post, one notch inside of Godiva Seelster, used that slight advantage, carrying it over to the race itself by forging for the lead and assuming control from Togetherforever after a quick :27 opener. Meanwhile, Godiva Seelster, normally on the engine early, was forced to take back and settle in fifth early.

After a :56.2 half, “Godiva” rolled up on the outside, and very quickly, an epic battle developed with Just A Bee and Godiva Seelster slugging it out the final three-eighths of the mile.

The two were, literally, trading noses on the lead from the far turn to the wire with Just A Bee on top at the wire in a tight photo finish.

Winbak Heavenly, with Aaron Byron in the bike, finished third, 1-3/4 lengths back with Togetherforever fourth and Mach It A Par, pacing the fastest finale in the septet, earning the nickel.

After the event, Micallef said, “now that was something. Two great mares going at it tooth and nail like that. You know what? The difference in that race was probably determined three days before that when we were assigned one spot inside of Wally’s mare. When they are that close in talent, an early advantage can go a long way. Yes, I had to use her pretty hard early to gain that advantage…but my mare is a brave one…out in :56.2 and home in :56.1.”

For Just A Bee, owned by Anita Micallef along with John Mc Goff and Greg Heath, it was her 13th success of the year, pushing her seasonal bankroll to $111,160. She paid $3.60 to her faithful.

Godiva Seelster, certainly not disgraced in defeat, earned a purse check for the 68th consecutive time covering her career as a three, four and, now, 5-year-old campaigns.

Meanwhile, Hennessey continued his hot hands with a grand slam of his own, winning with Caesar’s Forum and Gleneagles in FSBOA Sunshine State Stakes action, as well as Angel Demon and Jets Are On.

Caesar’s Forum, given a sensational rating by Hennessey, was put on the front end to an opening half in 1:00.2 before sprinting home in :55.1 to score a win measuring three-parts-of-a-length over arch-rival Owosso Flash (Mike Deters) in the Sunshine State Stake for sophomore pacing colts and geldings. It was the second win in a row over this main rival for this son of Six Of Diamonds, trained by Marc Aubin for Amante Standardbreds.

Gold Star Roger finished third, 8-1/2 lengths away, while Stutz and Drake picked up the minors. The event was contested off the pari-mutuel card.

Skip Smith photos

Gleneagles streaked to a handy 1:57 win in his Pompano Park debut in Sunshine State Stakes action on Tuesday night for Wally Hennessey.

Gleneagles, a 2-year-old son of Mysticism, earned his maiden win in his Pompano Park debut, scoring handily in 1:57 in a gate-to-wire effort over Conman’s Dream (Jason Mac Dougall) and R Chism (Mike Micaallef). ICU Diamond T, prominent early, finished fourth with Danza next in the septet.

The youngster is trained by Jim Mc Donald for the Pinhook Stable and, as the 1-20 overwhelming favorite, paid the minimum $2.10 to win.

Wally also scored with Angel Demon ($5.20) and Jets Are On ($11.60), bringing his victory total through the first four nights of the meeting to 22.

The other FSBOA Sunshine States, contested off the card, were won by Prairie Sweetheart and Gold Star Dynasty.

Prairie Sweetheart, co-owned by trainer Mike Deters along with Laurie Poulin and John Spindler, kept her perfect record intact with a career best 1:56.4 clocking with Deters in the bike.

The 2-year-old daughter of Royal Millenium is now two-for-two against her Florida bred filly competition, pinning a handy win over Caitlin’s Romance (Mel Turcotte) and Gold Star Love Bug (Wally Ross, Jr.)

Diamond Lily and Prairie Pistol also earned checks in this octet of youngsters.

Gold Star Dynasty dominated the 3-year-old Sunshine State Stake for the fillies, scoring a resounding win measuring 5-1/4 lengths in 1:57.1.

Aaron Byron was in the sulky for trainer Mike Deters and owners Oldford Farms, Jarold Hawks and Wrenn Racing.

Gold Star Sonata (Ross, Jr.) was second with last week’s winner, Davita, recovering from a miscue early, finishing third. Gold Star Charming and Arties Diamond Gal were next in the sextet of fillies.

Also starring on the Tuesday night card were the Hensleys–Ed and Ashleigh.

The pair teamed up for a grand slam as the Ashleigh trained and Ed driven Swing N Ace ($3.60), Friendsnheartbeat ($6.20), Bloodstockshalltab ($2.60) and My Hope ($7.80) all scored victories on the card. Even sweeter, the pair own all of the winners as well.

Finally, the Super Hi-5 was hit on Tuesday, the unique 20 cent ticket worth $6,299.48.

Pompano Park’s next live racing program is Sunday night with Open pacers expected to be in the spotlight.

Post time is 7:30 p.m.