by John Berry, for Pompano Park
Pompano Beach, FL — The gritty and consistent Boli, again handled by Hall of Fame driver Wally Hennessey, took top honors in Pompano Park’s $11,000 Open Handicap Trot on Wednesday night (Dec. 13), stopping the timer in 1:54.2.
Skip Smith photo
Boli won for the 13th time this year with a sharp 1:54.2 score at Pompano Park on Wednesday.
The determined 5-year-old gelded son of Kadabra returned to the winner’s circle for the 13th time this season with the clocking equaling his lifetime best mark established during Pompano Park’s winter-spring meeting. Sooo Handsome, driven by Rick Plano, found a seam late to finish second, three-parts of a length away, while Stemilt Touch, with John MacDonald in his bike, next after a garden journey most of the way. Prairie Fortune rallied from last turning for home to finish fourth while Bob’s Hope picked up the nickel after a serious challenge heading into the final bend. Favored Rockn Stein never was a factor and finished last in the octet.
At the outset, Stemilt Touch, fresh off a lifetime best 1:54.1 performance the week prior, left with alacrity to take the early lead, only yielding to Boli right at the opening station in :28. Once on top, Boli took the field halfway home in :57.1 with an identical :57.1 final half awaiting the competition. Onto the final bend, Andy Santeramo sent Bob’s Hope to engage the leader but Boli grudgingly held off his challenge in the lane and then withstood Sooo Handsome’s belated bid.
Said Hennessey after the race, “I can’t say enough about this horse. To remain at the top of his game week after week after week is amazing. He might not win every week, but he sure gives his all every start. Tonight, when Andy’s (Santeramo) trotter (Bob’s Hope) looked him in the eye, he looked right back at him!”
Trained by Dan Hennessey for owners Paul and Patricia O’Neil, Boli now has a 13-5-5 scorecard in 28 starts, good for $97,470. Lifetime, Boli has amassed $234,664 with 28 career wins in 76 starts. Off as the 2-1 second choice, Boli paid $6.80 to win.
Pompano Park’s racing schedule expands to five nights per week — Saturday through Wednesday — through early March with post time remaining at 7:20 p.m. This initial Saturday program features three carryovers — the Pick-5 ($2,920), the Pick-6 ($655) and the Super Hi-5 ($6,923).