by Steven Wolf, senior director of marketing and communications, Pompano Park
Pompano Beach, FL — Amethyst and driver Wally Hennessey remained unbeaten in 2004 with their second straight win in the Fillies and Mares Open Handicap Pace on Friday at Pompano Park, scoring a three length triumph in 1:543. Sent off as the over whelming 1-9 betting favorite, Amethyst, the only filly in the field against older mares, paid just $2.20 to win.
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Lap Time Photo – Mary Scott
Track Chaplin Reverend Blanton performs a eulogy trackside as part of a special memorial service for former horseman and track employee Larry Albano, who passed away last Saturday. In the background is a driverless horse and sulky and more than 100 horsemen and women, track employees, patrons and friends of Albano.
The $7,000 co-feature started off with Ms Bossy Pants (John Kakaley) shooting out to the early lead with Shelly F (Jay Sears) right on their backs to the opening quarter mile in :274.
Hennessey then started up with Amethyst, who brushed right to the lead before the half mile in :572 and then held the field at bay to the three-quarters in 1:262 and cruised home an easy winner. Ms Bossy Pants was second and Allamerican Fancy (Stephan Lareau) finished third.
The Florida-bred daughter of Miami Mogul is trained and co-owned by Rod Lorenzo with the Keisers Oberman Stables of Deerfield Beach.
Hennessey then captured the 10th race $8,000 Open Handicap Trot with Midgie ($3.80) in 1:573, his third win of the night and his 5,999th career win.
Roadster (Stephan Lareau), Golden Lane (Marc Aubin) and Midgie (Hennessey) all went out to the early lead with Roadster breaking stride before the opening quarter in :283. Both Golden Lane and Midgie were able to clear with Golden Lane taking command of the race. Hennessey came back with Midgie to cut the mile to the half in :582.
In the backstretch, Miss Biggie Smalls (Claude Richards) came first over to no avail, bearing to the outside as Chili Vanili (Mickey McNichol) was able to squeeze in-between horses and grab the two hole spot at the three-quarters in 1:273.
As the field turned for home, Hennessey was able to pull away with Midgie to win by one and one-half lengths with Chili Vanili second and Bring It Strong (John Kakaley) third.
A seven-year-old gelding by Donerail, it was the fifth win this year for Midgie and his fourth win in his last six starts for trainer Jim McDonald and the Knockout Stable of Margate, Florida.
Harness driver Walter Ross, Jr. was taken to the hospital with minor injuries after an accident in the fourth race pace. Gora Hot Patron and driver Wally Hennessey, avoiding a piece of equipment on the track at the three-quarter pole while on the lead, made a break and pulled up. That caused a chain-reaction pile-up as Adara Fiddle and John Kakaley ran up on Gora Hot Patron and Fulmar Red (Walter Ross, Jr.) ran up on Adara Fiddle. Both Ross and Kakaley were thrown on the track. Kakaley was able to continue driving and Ross was taken by ambulance to the hospital for x-rays. Both horses escaped without injuries.
More than 100 horsemen, women, patrons and track employees took part in a memorial service on the racetrack before the first race honoring fellow horseman and track employee Larry Albano, who passed away last week. A driverless horse and sulky, symbolic of the passing of a revered horseman, led the procession and track Chaplin Reverend Blanton performed a eulogy trackside.