by John Berry, for Pompano Park

Pompano Beach, FL — With the sport’s calendar bulging with big events in many major sports, a handful of Pompano Park drivers, trainers and owners decided to pay tribute to the world of sports in a big way.

In particular, drivers Wally Hennessey and Mike Micallef and the Baron Racing Stable played the major roles while Ed and Ashley Hensley, Mike Deters, John Campagnuolo and Dan Hennessey most certainly contributing to the festivities.

First, Wally Hennessey scored another “touchdown” with six winners on the Sunday (Oct. 11) card, bringing his total through the first three nights of racing to 18.

Micallef scored two hat tricks, one as a driver and the other as a trainer, enabling owner Baron Racing a hat trick of his own.

Deters earned a training double — he drove one to victory, as well — as did the driver-trainer team of Ed and Ashleigh Hensley.

To complete the accolades, owner John Campagnuolo had a pair of winners (one as a driver, too) and trainer Dan Hennessey also sent a pair of winners back of the Hummer starting gate.

Now, on to the details.

The FSBOA sponsored Sunshine State Stakes kicked things off with four events — three non-wagering events.

First, Gold Star Briana, a 2-year-old daughter of Basil, trained by Dan Hennessey for owner Kevin Kelly, got a bit fortunate in the opener as Trotting Missmissy violated the pylon laws late, enabling Wally Hennessey to get his first victory. Briana is now two-for-two lifetime after trotting her mile in 2:03.2.

Hennessey got win number two with Livy M, a daughter of Proud Bushy, handily in 2:00.3 for trainer Mike Deters, who co-owns along with Fred Morosini, Ken Fritz and Don Fritz.

Sandwiched in between these two was a win by the 2-year-old trotting gelding Proud Joe T, romping out of the gate at the start and wiring his foes in a lifetime best 2:05.2 for Rob Hoffman, who drove for trainer-lessee Dave Myrick. Proud Joe T also remains undefeated after two lifetime starts.

On the betting card, the Sunshine State Stakes concluded for the night when the very sharp sophomore son of Arapa Victory, Prairie Fortune, scored a popular victory at odds of 1-20, keeping his Florida State Stakes record unblemished this semester. Driven by trainer Mike Deters, Prairie Fortune stopped the timer in 1:57, scoring by close to 10 lengths in the process, enabling Deters to get his training double.

Deters, incidentally, with limited trips in the sulky, has a 22-10-4-3 scorecard this season, good for a UDR of a lofty .601.

Hennessey earned win number three with John Campagnuolo’s Super Duke ($19.80), just holding on in a three horse picture in 1:55.4. Trained by Dan Hennessey, the win enabled Campagnuolo to enjoy an owner double after he, himself, piloted Italian Stallion ($3.60) to victory in the Florida Amateur Driving Club trot — that mile clocked in 1:57.3. Campagnuolo co-owns the 6-year-old son of Rocky Balboa with Victor Contento.

Hennessey then swept three of the last four races on the card with Hillybilly, Sir Jake’s Z Tam and On The Green.

Hillybilly ($4.20), trained by Marc Aubin for Amante Standardbreds, scored a handy win in 1:52.4 in his first start back after a three month vacation. Sir Jake’s Z Tam ($5.60), trained by Dale Gilmour for owner Benny Eggers, hit the wire in 1:52, annihilating his former mark of 1:54. Hennessey closed out his touchdown performance with an explosive come-from-behind win with On The Green ($9.80), trained by Jim McDonald for the Pacing Pretty Stable.

Micallef’s hat trick began with I’m All Heart ($10.00), the 4-year-old son of Bettor’s Delight scoring in a lifetime equaling best 1:54.1, featuring a last panel of :27.4. All Steinam ($9.60) was next after a garden journey from the rail, this 6-year-old son of Tell All scoring in 1:52.3.

To complete the Baron-Micallef hat trick, Micallef eked out a decision with the ultra-game Lyons Johnny ($9.00) in 1:51, surviving a first over journey the final three-eighths of the mile to score by the narrowest of nostrils over the pacesetting Audrey’s Dream (Ed Hensley). Lyons Johnny, a 7-year-old son of Mach Three, scored his 25th lifetime victory, sending his career bankroll to $265,294. The late charging Northern Companion (Corey Braden) finished third, a length away, while King Royalty finished fourth. P L Hellcat picked up the nickel.

Finally, the Open Trot went to the classy Cashahallic ($7.40), handled by Aaron Byron for owner-trainer Richie Silverman. The son of Cash Hall, now seven, earned his fifth win of the year, scoring in 1:55.3 after a brave quarter move to the top. P L Houdini (Dan Clements) finished second while My Revenuer (Rob Hoffman) closed with ferocity to finish third. Highland Yankee and Gold Savage also earned awards.

Again, there were multiple winners in the Super Hi-5 finale with the carryover going into Tuesday’s program being more than $4,300. Post time is 7:30 p.m.