All Charged Up, driven by John MacDonald, used an electrifying charge from the pocket turning for home and scored a 1:54.1 win in Pompano Park's $11,000 Open Handicap Pace for mares on Monday night (January 15).
The rugged seven-year-old daughter of Ponder now has 10 wins in 20 starts since returning from injury several months ago.
All Charged Up charged past the 1-5 tote board favorite, Wild Wanda (handled by Ricky Macomber Jr.), to score by a length. Islay, driven by Joe Sanzeri, was third, two and three-quarter lengths away, while Sues Night Out and Machin Marley completed the classy quintet.
All Charged Up left from Post 4 before yielding around the initial turn to Post 5 starter Wild Wanda. The latter took the field through an opening panel of :28 and, with no threats initially looming, lolly-gagged over to the half in :58.
Speed-wise, things began to heat up on the backside as Wild Wanda sped her third panel in :28.1, but still unable to shake away from All Charged Up, second and on the helmet around that final bend.
Turning for home, All Charged Up left the coziness of her pocket and used that electrifying charge and surged to the front once they straightened away.
In a post-race interview, driver John MacDonald, who also trains the mare for J P Stables, remarked, "She's just a gallant mare and she has come back better than ever since her injury, which kept her out of action for many months.
"Tonight, she got a great trip. I was a bit concerned seeing that Ricky's (Macomber) got to the half rather cheaply, but my mare seemed to be ready anytime I asked her."
The victory – the 33rd in All Charged Up's career which measures 121 starts, sent her lifetime bankroll to $283,332 to go along with her 1:51.2 mark at Vernon Downs a couple of seasons back.
Second choice on the board, All Charged Up paid $7.40 to win.
Pompano racing will continue on Saturday night with the Italian-American Friendship Challenge on tap in a weekend competition featuring visiting Italian drivers Roberto Giannoni, Daniele Orsini, Giorgio Sandi and Gian Luca De Venta.
The Super Hi-5 carryover for Saturday is at a season high and over $83,000.
Post time is 7:20 p.m.
(With files from Pompano Park)