by John Berry, for Pompano Park

Pompano Beach, FL — With much of the attention focusing onGodiva Seelster (3-5) and Wild Wanda (5-2), it was Pertty Music, handled toperfection by George Napolitano, Jr., turning the tables in Pompano Park’s$11,500 Open Handicap Pace for Mares on Wednesday night (February 22).

Skip Smith photo

Pertty Music, driven by George Bapolitano Jr., pulled off a 12-1 upset in Pompano Park’s pacing feature for mares on Wednesday night in 1:51.3.

The 7-year-old daughter of Jereme’s Jet, off as the fifthchoice at 12-1 in her classy sextet of ladies, used a second-over journey totake command in deep stretch and then hold off the late surging GoldstarRockette, with John MacDonald in the bike, by a neck in a surprisingly quick1:51.3—that time a seasonal best despite day long heavy rains that left thetrack sloppy and the judges giving a two second allowance.

Jets Are On, the longest proposition in the field at 48-1,closed fastest of all to be third, just a half-length away and a scant nosebetter than Godiva Seelster, who was fourth. Wild Wanda picked up the minoraward.

At the outset, driver Wally Hennessey sent Godiva Seelstergunning for the lead and this granddaughter of Camluck took command at theopening panel in a sizzler–:26.1. That’s when Gweneeee J (Jim Meitinnis) took over—but only briefly asRicky Macomber, Jr. sent Wild Wanda on the prowl and she poked her head infront just short of the half in a blazing :54.4.

On the backside with Wild Wanda on a clear lead, GodivaSeelster charged up to challenge, reaching the leader’s saddle-pad past thethird station in 1:22.3 with Pertty Music catching the live cover of GodivaSeelster and Goldstar Rockette third-over.

In the lane, it was cavalry charge to the finish as thefield spanned across the track in a furious battle to the line.

The photo finish camera revealed Pertty Music up in timebetween horses with Goldstar Rockette, last early on and surviving a couple ofmissteps past the opening panel, a late surging second and Jets Are On next.

In a post-race conversation, winning driver GeorgeNapolitano, Jr. said, “I know that this mare can go with these and thedifference tonight was that we got a second-over trip, instead of first-over.

We really got a great trip tonight and following Wally’smare (Godiva Seelster) was a blessing.

They were all right there together at the wire, so it couldhave gone any way.

I was just the lucky one tonight.”

Owned by Souren Hovsepian along with trainer Rod Lorenzo,Pertty Music won for the third time in six starts this year, sending her 2017earnings to $19,170.

Lifetime, Pertty Music has 28 wins in 121 starts, good for$352,664 to go along with her mark of 1:50.2 as a 4 year-old at Pompano Park.

Pertty Music returned $27.00 to win, the highest payoff ofher 12 wins at Pompano Park and the second highest win payoff of her 28wins—the highest being $41.60 at Hoosier Park on October 10, 2014.

Racing continues on Saturday night with post time set for7:20 p.m.