by John Berry, for Pompano Park

Pompano Beach, FL — The “swan song” for Precocious Beauty, now on her way into a new career as a broodmare, was spoiled on Wednesday night (Jan. 6) at Pompano Park in the $12,000 Mares Open Handicap when Safe From Terror, driven by Matt Romano, slipped through along the pylons a sixteenth out to score a victory measuring three-quarters of a length over Precocious Beauty, with Doug McNair in the bike.

Just A Bee and Mike Micallef teamed up from the outside nine post to garner show honors while Wild Wanda and Arodasi picked up the final two awards in the field of nine.

Skip Smith photo

Safe From Terror, driven by Matt Romano, took top honors in Pompano Park’s $12,000 Open Handicap Pace for mares on Wednesday, stopping the timer in 1:51.3.

As the wings folded, Safe From Terror was away very alertly from post two with Precocious Beauty (post four) on the engine as well, with Just A Bee surging up from the outside to secure a close up spot in third ahead of Wild Wanda and Arodasi. Around the opening turn, Precocious Beauty assumed command and took her rivals through a hot opening panel of :26.4.

With no challenges developing during the second quarter, Precocious Beauty was able to get a :29.3 breather to reach the half in :56.2. Right at that halfway station, Wild Wanda was on the move and sprinting seriously on the backside, denting an official :26.4 third panel — hers being :26.2 — and moved within a length of Precocious Beauty at the third station in 1:23.1 with Safe From Terror sitting chilly along the pylons turning for home.

In the lane, Precocious Beauty drifted out ever so slightly, allowing Safe From Terror the room to roam along the inside to secure the win in 1:51.3.

After the event, driver Matt Romano said, “Lulu’s (trainer Luanna Besson) mare has been very good the last couple of starts, especially the last one where she paced home in :27.3.

“Tonight, she proved her mettle and with a picture perfect journey, was able to get the job done. You know, she’s won almost a half million (dollars) so you know that she’s got talent.”

Owned by Winchester Baye Acres, Safe From Terror, a 4-year-old daughter of Western Terror, won for the 13th time in 35 lifetime starts to send her career bounty to $489,622. Overlooked at 15-1 on the toteboard, Safe From Terror paid a handsome $32.00 mutuel to her $2 backers.

Precocious Beauty, meanwhile, was certainly not disgraced by her performance this night and closes out her brilliant racing career with earnings of $838,004 to go along with her mark of 1:50.1.

In the $9,500 supporting feature for mares, Velocity Vespa, driven by Kevin Wallis for trainer Chris Oakes and owner Susan Oakes, scored a gate-to-wire win in a lifetime best 1:50.4, cutting panels of :26.1, :55.1 and 1:23 in the process. This 6-year-old daughter of I Scoot Hanover pinned a 4-3/4 length defeat on Art Frenzy (Aaron Byron) with Sandysgoldenhour (Ricky Macomber Jr.) third, 6-3/4 lengths away. Jinxy’s Delight finished fourth while De Vins Girl picked up the nickel.

Velocity Vespa now sports a 23-12-12 scorecard in 98 lifetime starts, good for $172,987. As the 3-5 choice, Velocity Vespa returned $3.20 to win.

Racing continues on Saturday night with a Super Hi-5 carryover of $14,651.17 awaiting. Post time is 7:30 p.m.