by John Berry, for Pompano Park
Pompano Beach, FL — Modern Mercury and Sooo Handsome took top honors in Pompano Park’s $11,000 co-featured Open Trots on Wednesday night (Jan. 24), both upsetting 3-5 toteboard favorites in the process.
Skip Smith photo
Modern Mercury, driven by Wally Hennessey, pulled off a 13-1 upset in Pompano Park’s Open Trot for Mares on Wednesday night.
Modern Mercury, a 5-year-old daughter of Donato Hanover, was driven by Wally Hennessey, who changed strategy this night by sending his charge right to the lead, clocking fractions of :27.4, :56.4 and 1:25.2 before a :30 finale sealed the deal by 2-3/4 lengths over JS Foxy Lady, driven by Rickey Macomber Jr. The favorite, Diamond Dagger, finished third for Peter Wrenn, another length away, with Second Sister, last in the early stages, rallying for fourth. She’s All In, enjoying a garden journey the entire route, finished fifth in the field of seven.
After the race, Hall of Famer Hennessey said, “You know, this mare tries hard all the time and she’s got a nice brush to her. But we just haven’t been able to get there. So, I did some checking and noticed that seven of her 10 wins were on the front, so I thought maybe I’d try that for a change. There are a really good group of mares and we been within a couple of lengths every time. I thought, ‘maybe if I get a jump on them, maybe I’ll be a couple of lengths better this time — and that’s why I left with her. Turned out to be a good move as she felt comfortable all the way.”
Trained by Rob Harmon for owner John Campagnuolo, Modern Mercury earned her first win of the year to send her career bounty vaulting past the $100,000 mark — $102,355 to be precise. As fifth choice in the wagering at 13-1, Modern Mercury paid a handsome $29.80 to win.
Speaking of “handsome,” Rick Plano’s Sooo Handsome enjoyed a perfect pocket journey to waltz by Katch Kanna, driven by Wally Hennessey, and then held off the late surging BJ Anthony, with Mickey McNichol in his bike, to score by a length in 1:55.2. Uncle Hanover finished fourth while Prairie Fortune, the 3-5 favorite, picked up the nickel after being unfortunately bothered before the start.
Plano sent his 5-year-old gelded son of Cash Hall out alertly from post four before yielding to Katch Kanna before a snappy :27.4 opener. Remaining in the cozy pocket through panels of :56.4 and 1:25.4, Sooo Handsome tilted from the pocket turning for home to earn his 15th lifetime success. The win also sent Sooo Handsome’s career bankroll leaping over $100,000 — now standing at $104,340. As second choice on the board, Sooo Handsome returned $9.60 to win.
Racing continues on Saturday night with a Pick-6 carryover of $2,247. The Super Hi-5 carryover now stands at a season high $124,064. Post time is set for 7:20 p.m.