by Frank Salive, publicity director, Isle Pompano Park

Pompano Beach, FL — A win and a tight runner-up finish earned by mares starting for Ed Hensley highlighted the Monday evening (Dec. 19) action in Florida at The Isle Casino Racing Pompano Park.

Skip Smith photo

Lickcreek Jazzy (#5) stepped off the fastest mile of the program in a life’s record of 1:52.2 in the first race on Monday evening.

The indications were strong in the very first race of the night that Hensley’s mares had come to play at the top of their game. In the $6,100 conditioned test, Lickcreek Jazzy stalked the pace from mid-pack into the stretch and came away with a 1:52.2 life’s mark.

The 29-time career winner of over $362,000 is a 7-year-old mare by Hi Ho Silverheel’s-Peace Runner, and in this conquest she defeated Dinah Ross in rein to Joe Pavia, Jr. and the pacemaking favorite Bombilla Hanover with Bruce Ranger in the bike.

Hensley, a former meet driving champion at Tioga Downs, Fraser Downs, and Cal-Expo, has established a winter home base at Boynton Beach, Fla., and he also sent Keep On Flirtin into battle on Monday evening in South Florida.

The $12,000 Mares Open Handicap Pace saw favored entrymates I’m Just Special with Bruce Ranger up and Special Sweetheart partnered by Jason Dillander engage in a pitched battle through the middle fractions of :55.4 and 1:24.3. Just like last week, Hensley’s Keep On Flirtin brought the lead into the stretch only to be caught at the tote board by Runaway Tray, again driven to a two move victory by Joe Pavia, Jr.

Runaway Tray, a 5-year-old mare by Blissful Hall-Traker Dream, was following up her life’s mark of 1:51.4 last week with this tally in 1:52.3. She’s won both of her Florida starts for the Booff Stable and trainer Alex Kavoleff has sent out winners with half of his first eight starters since shipping back to The Sunshine State.

The third mare sent into action by Hensley on Monday evening, Blind To See, was tested in a first over trip and finished fourth by less than two lengths to race winning filly Southwind Trini in the $5,300 conditioned event.