Nip N Attack bests Esmeralda Semalu in Pocono feature

Nip N Attack outdueled Esmeralda Semalu in a showdown between heavyweight distaff pacers, winning the $25,000 featured Open Pace on Wednesday night at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs.

Nip N Attack, who came into the night with back-to-back wins in the Blue Chip Series at Yonkers and more $100,000 in the bank in 2009, was sent to the front by driver Jim Morrill Jr. around the opening turn. Meanwhile Esmeralda Semalu, a winner of six of nine in Florida, including a world record of 1:49:4 for aged mares on a five-eighths-mile oval, took the pocket trip.

Despite setting blistering fractions up front, Nip N Attack turned back the challenge of Esmeralda Semalu in the stretch to win by 1 1/4 lengths in 1:51.2, the fastest time of the young season at Pocono.

Owned by Susan Oakes of Wilkes-Barre, Pa., and Chuck Pompey of Archbald, Pa., Nip N Attack, a 5-year-old mare sired by On The Attack, won for the sixth time in 12 starts this year.  It was her 21st win lifetime, pushing her career earnings to $222.965. (Pocono Downs)

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