Chapsboots N Spurs wins Mares Open in 1:52.1

Chapsboots N Spurs posted her fifth straight victory Tuesday at the Isle Pompano Park, winning the $16,000 Mares Open Pace in a lifetime-best time of 1:52.1.

The third race feature saw Biggest Big Bertha (Anthony Napolitano) go right to the lead like she was shot out of the cannon. Leading by four lengths at the opening quarter mile in a blistering :26.3, Biggest Big Bertha held the field at bay with Chapsboots N Spurs and driver Wally Hennessey following in second place past the half mile marker in :54.3.

As they raced down the backstretch, Esmeralda Semalu and trainer-driver Joe Pavia Jr. were going for their fourth straight win and they started coming on the outside as Biggest Big Bertha hit the three-quarter mile marker in 1:22.3.

Sweeping three wide on the final turn, it looked like Esmeralda Semalu had the motion to win it all, but as they came down the stretch she started to flatten out as Hennessey came charging up to pass by Biggest Big Bertha and win by 1 1/2 lengths. Biggest Big Bertha was second with Esmeralda Semalu third.

It was the first time that Chapsboots N Spurs competed in the Mares Open Pace. Owned by Don and Shirley Heck of Carmel, Ind., and trained by Dan Hennessey, it was the 18th career win for their 5-year-old mare by Stampede Hanover. (Pompano Park)

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