by John Berry, for Pompano Park

Pompano Beach, FL — Sue’s Night Out, driven by Wally Hennessey, avoided early trouble past the opening quarter and went on to score a two length win in 1:53.3 in Pompano Park’s $9,000 Open 2 Pace for mares on Wednesday night, April 5.

Skip Smith photo

Sue’s Night Out avoided early trouble and went on to score a two length win in 1:53.3 in Pompano Park’s $9,000 Open 2 Pace for mares on Wednesday night, April 5.

A Stud Named Sue, a 5-year-old, pinned the defeat on Purple N Gold, handled by John MacDonald. Goldstar Rockette, with Mickey McNichol in the bike, were next, 2-3/4 lengths back of the winner.

Machin Marley finished fourth, another neck back, but a nose better than Miss Dollar Man, who picked up the nickel in the sextet.

At the outset, Purple N Gold used her rail post position to perfection and sprinted to an early lead as Machin Marley (Kevin Wallis) and Sue’s Night Out were both contesting that same position with Alabama Shakey next.

With the dust not quite settled, Wallis ducked back to the inside at the opening panel in :26.3 with Machin Marley, leaving Alabama Shakey on a break in tight quarters and ducking off the course. Hennessey continued on, going three-wide briefly to avoid the traffic, and sent Sue’s Night Out to the front three-eighths in to the mile.

With a second quarter breather, Hennessey guided Sue’s Night Out to a :56.1 half and continued unchallenged past the third station in 1:25 before a :28.3 sprint home sealed the deal.

After the race, driver Wally Hennessey related, “Sometimes luck has to be on your side and, win, lose or draw, luck was on my side tonight.

With that mad scramble early, I was pretty lucky to avoid the mishap at the quarter and I had no choice but to keep going with my mare because there was no spot for her to tuck in.

We got to the half comfortably and she was strong after that—didn’t give an inch to the wire.”

Owned and trained by Mike Sweeney, Sue’s Night Out notched her fourth win of the season.

As the 6-5 favorite, Sue’s Night Out paid $4.40 to win.

Racing continues on Sunday night with an 11 race card highlighted by the $10,000 Open Handicap Pace.

The well matched octet features Sing For Me George looking for his first win of the season after being very competitive against the top pacers on the grounds in South Florida.

Kevin Wallis is expected to be in the sulky back of the eight year-old trained by Paul Bernardo for owner Joseph Martinelli, Sr.

Pompano Park is also offering a $20,000 guarantee of the Pick-4, contested on races six through nine, as part of the USTA Strategic Wagering Program.

Post time is set for 7:20 p.m.