Front-end trips lead to Pompano winner's circle

December 20, 2009

Controlling front-end trips were the keys to success in both of the top class weekly events staged on the Saturday night card at the Isle Pompano Park.

Esmeralda Semalu returned to her dominant ways in the $13,000 Mares Open Pace for her first win of the meet. The 5-year-old daughter of Electric Stena-Anemone Semalue controlled the pace in :27.2, :56.4 and 1:24 to win under urging in 1:52.2 over Alice Springs with Bruce Ranger and Lucy Lucy partnered by Matt Kakaley.

It was on March 10, 2009 that 'Esmeralda' set the Pompano Park track record and a world record with a 1:49.4 tour of the South Florida oval for the BJR and AGC Stables of Boca Raton and Highland Beach. Joe Pavia Jr. trains and drives Esmeralda Semalu, and he shared top driver honors on the evening with Kevin Wallis and Ricky Macomber Jr. at three wins apiece. Pavia was the only trainer to send out two winners for the Saturday doubleheader as he also sent out Life's Z Tam to victory in the $20,000 claiming pace later on the double program.

In the $13,000 Open Pace, Mai Tai Guy proved he is the current top gun in South Florida. After a wide trip from post eight last week when he had to settle for third, trainer and driver Rick Schaut executed a much different trip scenario this time. After Sugar's Pride with Bruce Ranger made the front and posted the front quarter in :27.1, Schaut had the 4-year-old Towner's Big Guy-Elizabeth Street son on the move from the pocket to control the middle fractions of :55.3 and 1:24. Mai Tai Guy coasted home in 1:52.3 over the 11-1 pocket sitter Sugar's Pride, with Daley Deposit Only in rein to Dan Daley following in for third.

The wait for the 16th and final race of the Saturday evening doubleheader was definitely worth it for 28-year-old trainer Jodi Bendick of Sweet Valley, Pa. She conditions and co-owns 10-year-old Cambest-Rum N Ginger gelding Hot Rum. With Kevin Wallis in tow the veteran pacer charged up from mid-pack in the stretch to record his 42nd career win.

By winning with her first starter of the meet in South Florida, Bendick can now enjoy her best career year to date in her third year training. It was Bendick's 58th career training win overall and in 2009 to date, she's harnessed 33 winners from just over 250 starters for over $260,000 in purse earnings. Bendick campaigned at Pocono Downs prior to shipping to South Florida and she co-owns Hot Rum with Anthony Faulkner, also of Sweet Valley, Pa. (Pompano)

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