by Steve Wolf, Senior Director Racing Operations, Pompano Park

Pompano Beach, FL – With an aggressive drive by Bruce Ranger, Townline Lily ($6.60) was able to stay on the lead and dictate the fractions in winning the 8th race $10,000 Fillies and Mares Open Handicap Pace at Pompano Park Friday.

The “duke it out” between last weeks winners Wilma Hall (Brett Miller) and Cape Cove Daisy (Stephen Lareau) never emerged as Ranger and Townline Lily controlled the tempo from the start.

Leaving from post three, Townline Lily and Ranger tried to go right to the front but ended up in a dogfight for control of the early lead with Hypnotize and driver Joe Pavia, Jr. Hypnotize won the battle and had command of the race going to the opening quarter mile in :27.

But that lead was short lived as Ranger quarter moved with Townline Lily and went right back to the front before the half mile mark in :56.4. It was then that the pace quickened as My Metallica (Wally Hennessey) came first over in the backstretch and pushed the leaders to the three-quarters in 1:25.3.

As the field came off the final turn and started down the stretch, Ranger went to work on Townline Lily as Pavia pulled from the pocket but interfered with My Metallica and then ducked back in behind Townline Lily. Townline Lily was able to hold off a late charge up the rail by Evere’s Connection (John Kakaley) to win by a half-length in 1:54.2.

Hypnotize had finished third but was placed fourth behind My Metallica for the interference at the top of the stretch.

It was the 11th win this year for Townline Lily, a five-year-old mare by Pilgrims Punch, trained by Tom Beckette for the Bruce Ranger Stable and she is owned by Mike and Arthur Beil of Tamarac.