by John Berry, for Pompano Park

Pompano Beach, FL — Velocity Vespa survived a roughed up opening quarter and went on to win the $12,000 Mares Open Handicap Pace in 1:53 over a sloppy Pompano Park oval on Wednesday night (Jan. 27).

The 6-year-old daughter of I Scoot Hanover, driven by George Napolitano Jr., dug in late to hold off the pocket sitting Mach It A Par, handled by Dan Clements, by a neck with Classic Carpet and Wally Hennessey teaming up for show honors. Just A Bee finished fourth after moving to the flank of Velocity Vespa around the final turn while Art Frenzy picked up the minor award in the field of seven.

Skip Smith photo

Velocity Vespa scored a hard earned victory in Pompano Park’s top pace for mares on Wednesday night.

At the outset, Mach It A Par showed alacrity leaving with Just A Bee alongside and Velocity Vespa also joining the fray from her outside post and “double bubbled” through much of a sizzling opening quarter in :26.3. Finally making the top, Napolitano lulled the rest of the field through a :30.2 second panel — a breather that put Velocity Vespa at the half in :57. On the backside, Just A Bee left her spot in third and charged up strongly as the pace quickened with Velocity Vespa reaching the third station in 1:25.

In the lane, Just A Bee drifted out a bit, allowing Mach It A Par a clear path to the leader and while gaining a bit late, fell a neck short at the wire as Velocity Vespa notched the victory — her fifth straight here at Pompano.

After the event, driver George Napolitano Jr. said, “This was not an easy trip. That first quarter was very tough and we were fortunate that we got to take a breath or two during the second quarter.

“Of course, a lot of credit has to go to (trainer) Chris Oakes, who keeps this mare sharp — and was sharp as a tack tonight.”

Owned by Susan Oakes, Velocity Vespa continues her 2016 season perfect at four-for-four and now with 26 wins in 101 lifetime starts, has $190,487 in career bounty. As the 1-2 choice, Velocity Vespa paid $3.00 to win.

The Open 2 Pace for the ladies went to Southwind Trini, handled by Brad Kramer, in 1:52.4, her winning margin a scant nose over Pertty Music, driven by Travis Cullen. Limelight, teamed up with Rick Plano, was third, 2-3/4 lengths away, while De Vins Girl finished fourth. Shortest Distance picked up the nickel in the quintet.

Southwind Trini was on the engine from the get-go from her outside post five, taking the lead from De Vins Girl around the opening turn and carding fractions of :27.3 and :57 through the opening half. Just a stride or two prior to that second station, Cullen moved Pertty Music out and she brushed up strongly on the backside, gnawing away at the leader past the next station in 1:24.3.

In the lane, Southwind Trini and Pertty Music hooked up in a classic duel to the wire with a photo necessary to determine the winner.

Trained by Rob Harmon for Karma Racing, Inc., Southwind Trini, an 8-year-old daughter of Rocknroll Hanover, won for the 32nd time during her career, sending her lifetime bounty to $394,527. As the 8-5 second choice on the toteboard, Southwind Trini paid $5.40 to win.

Finally, Deuces For Charity, claimed just a week ago for $10,000, won a conditioned event for mares in 1:51.4, easily a lifetime best. This 5-year-old daughter of Armbro Deuce, co-owned by James Stonecipher along with trainer Jamie Macomber, was driven to victory by Ricky Macomber Jr. and as the even money favorite, paid $4.00 to win and set up a carryover for Saturday’s Super Hi-5 of $61,570.16.

Racing continues on Saturday night with first race post at 7:30 p.m.