by John Berry, for Pompano Park

Pompano Beach, FL — Safe From Terror, with Bryce Fenn in the bike, took top honors in Pompano Park’s $10,000 Mares Open Pace on Tuesday night (Nov. 15), scoring a handy win in 1:52.1.

Skip Smith photo

Safe From Terror pushed her lifetime earnings to $630,257 with a win in Pompano Park’s top pace for mares.

The 4-year-old daughter of Western Terror registered her first win of the fall season in South Florida and her 10th of the year at the expense of Goldstar Rockette (Kevin Wallis), the margin being 1-3/4 lengths at the wire. Pertty Music (John MacDonald) finished third in a ground saving journey while Southwind Trini finished fourth after a first up bid on the backside. Jets Are On picked up the minor award in the sextet.

At the outset, Goldstar Rockette, leaving from the outside post, blasted off the wings searching for the top spot with Safe From Terror, leaving from post five, actually following live cover around the first turn before assuming control a few strides shy of the opening :27.4 quarter. Once on top, Fenn gave Safe From Terror perfect rating, reaching the half in :56.3 and then repelling the moderate first over threat from Southwind Trini as the third station which was reached in a picked up 1:24.1. In the lane, Safe From Terror continued to inch away from her foes on the strength of a :28 finale.

In a post-race interview, Fenn declared, “When I saw the horse outside (Goldstar Rockette) was revved up, I decided not to get in a war with her, but rather follow her and have the option of getting to the top or dropping in right behind her, if necessary.

“Fortunately, we made the top rather easily and that breather in the second quarter really helped. She’s a great mare, no doubt about that — she’s got six and a quarter on her card and she’s been giving hints right along, especially the last couple of starts.”

Trained by Luanna Beeson for Winchester Baye Acres, Safe From Terror sent her 2016 scorecard to 10-5-5 in 31 starts, pushing her seasonal bankroll to $146,635 and $630,257 lifetime. As the 3-5 favorite, Safe From Terror paid $3.20 to win.

Racing continues on Sunday night with the lucrative Melvyn Aylor Memorial events for Florida-breds and Open pacers in action coupled with a $2,258 carryover in Pompano Park’s Pentafecta fourth and yet another carryover in the Pick-6. Post time is scheduled for 7:20 p.m.