Armbro Artistic wins by a nose at Pompano

A nose separated the top three finishers in Friday’s featured $14,000 Fillies and Mares Open Handicap Pace at Pompano Park, with Armbro Artistic edging out Catalina Morgan and up Front Lady to prevail by a nose in a lifetime best 1:53.3.

Armbro Artistic didn’t get overly involved in the early stages of the Friday feature as driver Anthony Napolitano eased the daughter of Artiscape back to fifth place while race favorite Hypnotize (Kevin Wallis) took the field through an opening quarter mile in :27.1.

As the pacers approached the half-mile marker, Up Front Lady (Richard Macomber Jr.) was  moved off the pylons to attack first-over, providing cover for Armbro Artistic, and that pair advanced on Hypnotize as the 6-year-old mare cut out middle fractions of :56.1 and 1:24.3.

Hypnotize retained a three-quarters of length advantage at the head of the lane before dropping from contention, yielding the lead to Up Front Lady, who held the top spot through deep stretch before succumbing to the late charge of Armbro Artistic, who in turn held off Catalina Morgan as the trio hit the wire together.

Armbro Artistic paid $15.20, $8.20, and $4.80 for the victory. Catalina Morgan returned $5.40 and $3.60 for second, while Up Front Lady brought in $3.20 for third.

Owned by Frank Gennero and Donald Locricchio of Warren, Mich., and trained by Jimmy Salerno, Armbro Artistic has prevailed in four of her last five starts, dating back to a Pompano victory on November 16, 2007. (Pompano Park)

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