Trotting mare Feel L A left her owner and trainer in a slight state of disbelief on the Wednesday, May 25 program at Pompano Park. Lately, though, that's been a regular weekly occurrence every time she races.
"Really, I thought going in tonight it's been a great ride, but I was pretty sure that class would be just too tough," said the lass' owner/trainer, Gaston Glaude, a resident of Pompano Beach. "A lot of things went our way, especially with Baseball Express going off stride. Feel L A is giving me the time of my life since I just dabble with the horses as a hobby now. I've had the opinion she would always be a claiming horse, but she keeps educating me on where the bottom of her might be."
In the $7,500 conditioned event, Nasty Secret (driven by Dan Clements) reversed her style and laid down the speed in :27.3, :57.1, and 1:27. Turning into the backstretch for the final time, Feel L A was served up first over by pilot Tom Sells. The eight-year-old Feel Like A Winner--Keystone Nocture mare edged ahead in late stretch and held off a late charge on the pylons by the pocket sitter, Tom Cango (Richard Simard). Nasty Secret was a close third.
Feel L A earned her 13th win from 18 starts this year and lowered her life's mark to 1:55.4 with the effort. Her lifetime bankroll has surpassed $174,000 with more than $41,000 of that knot banked in 2011.
(With files from Pompano)