Mares square off at Ppk

Chip And Gale A, the top mare at Pompano Park Harness Track this season, goes for her fourth straight win Friday in the 2nd race $10,000 Mares Preferred Handicap Pace.

The Australian-bred 9 year old has won six of her last seven starts since coming to Pompano Park for trainer-driver Daryl Bier. She starts from post 6 in the 2nd race and is the 7/5 favorite. Owned by Vincent Ali of Manalapan, NJ, Chip And Gale A is a career winner of $381,000.

Her main rival will be another Australian-bred mare, Tasma Walton A. Also age nine, Tasma Walton A starts alongside Chip And Gale A in post five for driver Wally Hennessey. In her last start she was able to race parked-out first-over for most of the race and still come on in the stretch to win by one half-length in 1:55.

In her two prior starts to the victory, she did lose to Chip And Gale A.

Another return winner in the field is a New Zealand-bred mare, Magie Lilly Rose N from post three for driver Steve Trites. The 8 year old is owned and trained by Ralph Collins of Pompano Beach and is moving up in class, competing in the Preferred Pace for the first time.

There are nine 2-year-old pacers that will compete in qualifying races Friday morning at Pompano Park. The first series of the season for 2 year olds starts Saturday, June 3. The Early Bird Pacing Series has 15 fillies and colts nominated. They will compete over two weeks in preliminary competition with a $10,000 final Saturday, June 17.

The top contender nominated is Spoutin Off, a filly, who last week won her debut in a qualifying race at Pompano Park in 1:58 for owner-trainer-driver Melvyn Aylor of Bell. That mile is currently the fastest record for any 2 year old in harness racing this season.

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