by John Berry, for Pompano Park

Pompano Beach, FL — Goldstar Classic and Pocket Trip took their respective divisions of Pompano Park’s $10,000 trotting features on Monday night (Feb. 22).

Skip Smith photo

Goldstar Classic made his 100th lifetime start a winning one as Wally Hennessey guided the gelding to a win in 1:56.3.

Goldstar Classic was superbly handled by Hall of Famer Wally Hennessey as this 6-year-old gelded son of Classic Photo scored a gate-to-wire win in 1:56.3 measuring three-quarters of a length over the late charging Diamond Dagger, driven by Mark O’Mara. McKenzie’s Star, prominent throughout the journey, finished third, a length away, while Pointe Of Inquiry edged Highland Yankee for the fourth spot in the closely knit field of seven separated by less than three lengths at the finish.

Indeed, Hennessey sent Goldstar Classic bursting out of the gate and into the lead through an opener of :28.1 with Highland Yankee second, Gold Savage next and McKenzie’s Star fourth. Pointe Of Inquiry was fifth at this juncture followed by Majestic Won with the 3-5 toteboard favorite, Diamond Dagger, at the back of the pack.

Tapping on the brakes during the second panel, Goldstar Classic got a :30.2 second quarter breather, reaching the half in :58.3 with Highland Classic maintaining the garden spot and McKenzie’s Star now on a first up jaunt as they entered the backside. The pace began to quicken as McKenzie’s Star attempted to apply pressure on the leader and at the third station in 1:27 Goldstar Classic and McKenzie’s Star were heads apart with Highland Yankee searching for room to roam and Diamond Dagger farthest out but closing stoutly — her rally falling short as Goldstar Classic sealed the deal with his :29.3 closer.

In a post-race interview, Hennessey relayed, “Once we got to the half softly, I thought we had a chance to go all the way. He tries hard every step of the mile and he hasn’t seen a :58.3 half in a long time. It was a fitting way to perform in his 100th lifetime start, wasn’t it?”

Indeed, Goldstar Classic won for the 18th time during his career spanning a “century” in starts and the win sent his career bounty to $111,556. Trained by Dan Hennessey for Tim Rzepka, Kevin Kelly, Joe Connors and Vince Giorlando, Goldstar Classic returned $8.40 to win as the second choice in the betting.

Pocket Trip, under the expert direction of Fern Paquet Jr., stepped up a couple of notches in class after a 1:54.3 win last week and promptly went right back to the winner’s circle, scoring a handy win by one length in 1:54.4 over the late closing Buddy Hally, driven by Wally Hennessey. Bloodstockshalltab, making his initial start for new owner-trainer Dennis Whittemore, finished third for John MacDonald while Tater Twister and Explosive Muscles picked up the minors in the field of seven.

It was Tater Twister sprinting from the gate along with Buddy Hally with Pocket Trip, also showing a bit of early foot, finding a cozy spot in third. Once the early dust settled, positions remained stagnant through panels of :27.1 and :57.2 with Pocket Trip edging to the outside halfway through and brushing strongly on the backside, assuming the lead heading into the final turn with nary a threat developing thereafter.

Trained by Allie Berube for J&M Racing, Pocket Trip, a 6-year-old gelded son of Angus Hall, won for the second time this season and 22nd time career-wise and gave driver Fern Paquet Jr. “the best birthday present.”

After the event, Paquet said, “Last week, he (Pocket Trip) was very sharp, so I decided I’d try and use the same strategy here as last week’s win. When I tilted him out, he just took off — the same as last week. Allie (trainer Berube) has him very sharp. This was the best birthday present. I enjoyed this ride very much!”

Pocket Trip now has lifetime earnings of $166,780 with the win. Even with the step up in class, Pocket Trip was the even-money favorite and paid $4.00 to his many followers.

Racing at Pompano continues on Tuesday with the headline event being the $15,000 Open Handicap Trot. Royal Max will be gunning for this third straight win in this top company and will be installed as the 4-5 morning line favorite with the odds are posted. Joe Pavia Jr. is expected to be in the bike back of this 5-year-old son of RC Royalty.

Oho Diamond, Dan Clements’ powerful 5-year-old daughter of Ken Warkentin, will be making her season’s debut after a long vacation and will have Wally Hennessey in the bike.

Uriel, Sailer Eddie and She’s All In complete the talented quintet.

Post time is 7:30 p.m.