by Michael Costanzo, public relations coordinator, Pompano Park

Pompano Beach, FL — The 4-year-old mare My Metallica, who finished second in each of her last two starts while chasing home Tintabella N, exacted revenge on that rival when prevailing in the featured $18,000 Fillies and Mares Open Handicap Pace at Pompano Park on Friday, May 25.

Lap Time Photo – Skip Smith

My Metallica and driver Wally Hennessey surge past Wilma Hall (#3) while holding off Tintabella N (#6) to win Friday’s $18,000 Fillies and Mares Open Handicap Pace.

Guided from post four by driver Wally Hennessey, My Metallica found a spot along the pylons in fourth place as Hyde Park Hussie N (Andy Santeramo) made the early lead in the Friday feature, showing the way through opening fractions of :27.2 and :57.2.

Midway down the backstretch, race favorite Wilma Hall (Bruce Ranger) was tipped to the outside to make a rush towards the front, with My Metallica and Tintabella N (Daryl Bier) tracking her cover as a weakening Hyde Park Hussie N started to back up.

Wilma Hall cruised past the three-quarter marker in 1:25.2 and entered the lane with a one length advantage, but the daughter of Blissfull Hall had no answer for My Metallica, who wrestled away the top spot in mid-stretch before holding off the late charge of Tintabella N to score a half-length victory in 1:53.3.

My Metallica returned $10.60, $3.00, $2.10 for the victory. Tintabella N brought in $4.00, $2.10 for second, while Wilma Hall paid $2.10 for third.

Owned by Ciara Stable, Michael Polansky, and William Johnston III, My Metallica has visited the winner’s circle three times this year. In addition to her winning performance on Friday, the mare scored in 1:53 at Pompano on April 27, along with a triumph at the Meadowlands in 1:54.4 on February 2.

In 2005, My Metallica was named Illinois-bred 2-Year-Old Filly Pacer of the Year after earning $140,165 with three wins from nine starts, including a victory in the $260,000 Orange and Blue Filly Pace at Balmoral Park. Following her Friday victory, the Tom Harmer trainee’s lifetime bankroll now stands at $242,946.

Eleven A M seeks repeat in Saturday feature

Eleven A M, a winner in five of 11 starts this year, including a victory in 1:52.2 last week, headlines a contentious field of eight that will assemble for Saturday’s $18,000 Winners Over Handicap Pace, the featured event from Pompano Park.

Owned by the Berry Stables of Staten Island, N.Y., Eleven A M holds a career record of 20 wins from 66 starts, and has amassed over $361,000 in lifetime earnings.

Installed as the 5-2 morning line favorite for the Saturday feature, Eleven A M has been assigned post eight and will be driven by Bruce Ranger, who also trains the 5-year-old son of Falcon Seelster.