by Steve Wolf, senior director of racing operations, Pompano Park

Pompano Beach, FL — My Metallica ($7.60), the lone filly in the field, edged pacesetter Wilma Hall by a head at the wire in winning the seventh race $10,000 Fillies and Mares Open Handicap Pace at Pompano Park on Friday (Dec. 29) in 1:53.2.

Wilma Hall and driver Brett Miller shot right to the early lead with Evere’s Connection (John Kakaley) grabbing the two hole by the opening quarter in :28. They raced Indian-style past the half-mile in :56.2 and that was when Wally Hennessey came first-over with My Metallica and they blew by Evere’s Connection and grabbed the two hole before the three-quarters in 1:24.1.

Lap Time Photo – Skip Smith

My Metallica (#1) and driver Wally Hennessey edge Wilma Hall and driver Brett Miller to win the $10,000 Fillies and Mares Open Handicap Pace.

Then in a dramatic stretch drive, Hennessey urged his filly on in the stretch and they continued to gain on Wilma Hall, passing her right before the finish. Hypnotize (David Ingraham) rallied to finish third.

It was the fourth win this year for My Metallica, a 3-year-old filly by Party At Artsplace. She is trained by Tom Harmer and is owned by the Clara Stable, Michael Polanksky and William Johnston, III of Illinois.

Driver Bruce Ranger had the hot hands Friday, winning six races on the program, and sweeping the last three races on the card.

JK Big Shot heads Saturday’s Open

After two strong qualifying victories, newcomer JK Big Shot takes on the top pacers at Pompano Park Saturday (Dec. 30) in the 11th race $10,000 Open Handicap Pace. The lone 3-year-old in the field prepped last week for his debut in south Florida with a 7-1/2 length romp in 1:52.3 for driver Brett Miller and starts from post two.

The chestnut colt by The Panderosa is trained by Gary Lemaister and is owned by Jean Picard of Orford, Quebec. JK Big Shot has already been nominated to the $250,000 Isle of Capri Pacing Series at Pompano Park that begins in February.

Also in the field is last week’s winner, Honest Lawyer (post six), Doctor Viagra (post seven), Star Role (post five), Golden Mattjesty (post four), Welu’s Dreamboat (post three) and Eleven A M (post one).