by John Berry, for Pompano Park

Pompano Beach, FL — Modern Mercury, driven by Hall of Famer Wally Hennessey, was given a “hall of fame” drive on Wednesday night (April 4) to capture the $15,000 Open Trot for mares at the extended distance of 1-1/4 miles in 2:29.1.

The 5-year-old daughter of Donato Hanover scored a handy victory measuring three lengths over the late charging Diamond Dagger, handled by Dave Ingraham, with She’s All In next for Rick Plano. Vicki All, at the back of the sextet most of the way, rallied for fourth as Global Inspiration picked up the nickel.

This was a classic “1960s” drive by Hennessey as the Hall of Famer, leaving from the track’s coveted post five, sent Modern Mercury sprinting off the wings to take charge before taking the field through an opening quarter in the rare time (for this era) of :30.4. Once on top, it seemed the others were timid about leaving their respective spots for fear of getting left in the open air of the night, which allowed Hennessey to take Modern Mercury to the half in a leisurely 1:01.3 – a good three to four seconds slower than usual for the class.

Thereafter, the pace quickened with the third panel clocked in :29.3 and, by then, Hennessey had Modern Mercury in full throttle, trotting the last half-mile in the marathon in :58 in remaining unthreatened to the wire.

After the race, Hennessey related, “I was a little concerned about the added distance because she didn’t do that well in her last marathon event, but tonight she was comfortable the entire way.”

About the classic “1960s” rating, Hennessey confided, “You know, way back when I was just getting started, the great Paige West gave me one to drive and I rated the horse the best I could but was out-brushed in the stretch. When I saw Paige after, I told him I thought I had messed up because I didn’t go fast enough early. He said, ‘son, you did just fine. Remember, if you can’t beat ’em fresh, you sure can’t beat ’em tired.’ I never forgot those words and how true they were tonight.”

Trained by Rob Harmon for owner John Campagnuolo, Modern Mercury won for the fourth time in 13 starts, good for $37,000 this semester. Lifetime, the grand mare has banked $131,875. As the even-money favorite on the toteboard, Modern Mercury paid $4.20 to her multitude of backers.

In other action, Innit Hanover, catch-driven by Andy Santeramo subbing for owner-trainer Joe Sanzeri, took top honors in the $15,000 Pop-Up Final, also carded at 1-1/4 miles.

The 5-year-old gelded son of Dragon Again earned his first win of the year by completing the long distance in 2:25.4 — his margin 2-3/4 lengths over JD’s Profiteer, driven by Tyler Shehan. Devil Rei, with Dan Harvey handling the lines, was third. Brown Titan and Casey’s Lil’ Harry earned the minor awards in the field of 10.

In achieving his second largest payday of his career measuring 62 starts — the largest being as a 2015 2-year-old — Innit Hanover sent his career earnings to $80,210. As third choice in the betting at 5-1, Innit Hanover paid $13.40 to win.

In a racing rarity, the 7-year-old Beijing Hanover, a gelded son of Explosive Matter, competed in only his second lifetime start and broke his maiden with a score in 1:58.3 for Wally Hennessey, who was in the bike for trainer Jake Huff and owner Herman Brewer.

Beijing Hanover took command three-eighths into the mile after a :30.1 opener and proceeded through fractions of :59.2 and 1:29 before sealing the deal with a :29.3 finale.

After the race, trainer Huff related, “He was injured as a young horse and, finally, was used as a riding horse for several years. When he became sound, the owner, Herman Brewer, was tinkering with the idea of trying to get him to the races, so he sent him down to me. He’s a great looking individual and he raced the part in winning.

“Here’s a 7-year-old making his second lifetime start and just breaking his maiden. He’s racing like a 2-year-old and the only regret I have is that he only has seven more years to race!”

Beijing Hanover paid $6.60 as second choice in the betting.

Racing continues on a Sunday-Monday-Tuesday schedule through April with Sunday’s card featuring a stellar field in the $15,000 Open Handicap Pace. The $3 million field includes track record holder Panocchio matching strides with Rock On Me, Alta Jerome N, Doo Wop Hanover, Dee’s Rocketman and Miso Fast. Post time is set for 7:20 p.m.