Bay Girl continued her winning ways at Pompano Park on Monday night, and in doing so she staked her claim for consideration as the local Horse of the Month.
The daughter of Royal Mattjesty, in rein to Rick Plano, captured her fourth Fillies and Mares Open Pace in November with a 1:52 gate-to-wire one-length triumph over Blissful Romance. Miss Sparta got the show dough in the featured $10,000 race.
It was the tenth win of the 2012 season for Bay Girl who switched tactics in her latest conquest after sweeping from last to first in her two previous successes. Michael Sergi of New York owns the lifetime winner of $582,057.
In a $6,500 event mixing conditioned and claiming mares the mild upset winner was Gold Star Gidget, who gave driver Walter Ross, Jr. his 983rd lifetime victory. The three-year-old Rock On filly owned by Thomas Audley has now captured two straight 'open' overnight events since an impressive score in the $54,800 Florida Breeders championship in her sophomore pacing division on November 10.
Gold Star Gidget may also be worthy of consideration from the FSBOA voting panel that selects the top local horse each month.
Eight different drivers visited the winner's circle during the nine-race program. The only multiple winner was Jason Dillander - a recent arrival for the winter from Indiana Downs. The 36-year-old reinsman fashioned a crossover double by winning with the pacer Windsun Countess and the trotter Duck Crossing.
(Pompano Park)