by John Berry, for Pompano Park

Pompano Beach, FL — She’s All In, driven by owner-trainer Rick Plano, pulled off a mild 7-1 upset in the $12,000 Open Trot for mares on Sunday night (March 15) at Pompano Park.

Skip Smith photo

She’s All In, driven by owner-trainer Rick Plano, pulled off a 7-1 upset in Pompano Park’s Open Trot for mares on Sunday night.

The 6-year-old daughter of Revenue S enjoyed a picture perfect garden journey before tipping out at the head of the lane, wearing down the leader Blushing Hanover and then holding off the late surging Jailhouse Jessica, driven by Bruce Ranger, to score by 1-1/2 lengths. Mc Tiny’s Hope rallied for third for Ben Mc Neil while Blushing Hanover finished fourth, just a nose ahead of Trot Fudge Sundae in the septet.

At the outset, the 34-1 outsider Blushing Hanover, handled by Mickey McNichol, was away alertly along with She’s All In, the latter ducking in right behind the leader and continuing that way through panels of :27.4, :58.3 and 1:26.3 with Saint Patty’s Doll third at that station, Trot Fudge Sundae was next but stalled a bit through that picked up third quarter, Sweet As Music double-bubbled, Mc Tiny’s Hope was next with nowhere to go and Jailhouse Jessica was looking for some room to roam.

Turning for home, She’s All In left the coziness of the pocket, surged on by and held safe late.

After the event, driver Rick Plano said, “She had started to give hints the last couple of starts and tonight everything jelled for her. Bruce’s mare (Jailhouse Jessica) must’ve had some road trouble because I expected her to be there and she was, just a little late! My mare was good tonight but luck was on our side, too, that’s for sure.”

She’s All In won for the second time this season — 22nd lifetime — to send her seasonal bounty to $17,735 and $177,519 lifetime. As fifth choice in the wagering, She’s All In paid $16.80 to win.

In the $10,000 Pop-Up Final, Ed Hensley’s Speed Hanover turned the tables on last week’s winner Dream Lake and wired the latter along with six others with a lifetime best 1:55 performance — his margin 1-3/4 lengths at the wire. Oaklea Sydney was third, 11 lengths away, with BSMaximummoondream fourth and Famous Legs overcame the outside eight post in picking up the nickel.

At the outset, both Dream Lake (Matt Romano) and Speed Hanover left with alacrity to vie for early supremacy with Speed Hanover gaining the top around turn one and traveling to an opening panel in :27.3. Once on top, Hensley’s charge lolly-gagged over to the half in :57.4 and deterring any backside threats picked up the pace with a :28.4 third panel, keeping Dream Lake still in the garden spot with no other challengers within three lengths.

In the lane, Speed Hanover, on his own, picked up the pace a tick or two even faster, completing his mile in :28.2 for the handy score.

In a post race interview, Hensley said, “I just got him (by claim) about a month ago and I figured he was a solid trotter that could always go in (1):56 and a piece. This mile pleasantly surprised me as I didn’t think he was going at a (1):55 rate — he was doing it so easily.”

For this 8-year-old son of Cantab Hall, it was his initial victory of the year in nine starts, sending his seasonal earnings to $10,829. He’s banked $218,934 lifetime with his prior mark being 1:56.4 over the Saratoga half-miler two seasons back. As the even money toteboard favorite, Speed Hanover paid $4.00 to win.

In Pompano Park’s Super Hi-5, the 10-7-8-1-3 combo produced eight winning 20 cent tickets, sending the carryover to Monday’s Hi-5 finale close to $44,000. Post time for the Monday extravaganza is 7:30 p.m.