Pompano Beach, FL — Rebellious, handled by Wally Hennessey for trainer Mike Deters, scorched the Pompano Park oval on Sunday night (Dec. 15) in 1:50.3, after an eye-opening backside blast that sent him from fourth to the lead in “the blink of an eye” in the $10,000 Open Handicap Pace.

The 5-year-old gelded son of Mach Three earned his 13th win of the year (and 32nd lifetime), capping the magnificent mile with a :26.3 finale, defeating American Hustle (Kevin Wallis) by 1-1/2 lengths. Ideal Feeling (Rick Plano) finished third, while Panocchio (Corey Braden) and Rocksapatriot (David Ingraham) earned the final awards in the classy sextet.

As the wings folded, American Hustle hustled his way to the front and took the field to the opener in :27.1 and maintained the lead halfway through in :55.3. With three-eighths to go, Hennessey sent Rebellious winging forward and, in just a few seconds, forged his way to the front and on to the win.

Said Hennessey after the race, “I’ve been in this business a long time and, without question, this horse can pace as fast as any I have ever driven for an eighth of a mile.

Owned by trainer Deters along with Joel Warner, Rebellious has banked $112,545 this season and $267,386 lifetime, to go along with a 1:49 mark achieved this year at Tioga Downs.

As the second choice in the betting, Rebellious paid $6.20 to win.

Hennessey was also in the bike for two other speedy winners–Feelin Lika Winner and Mcjagersonthemove.

Feelin Lika Winner (Hennessey) was “Feelin Friskie” on Sunday and overcame post seven to accomplish the wiring act in 1:52.2, while Mcjagersonthemove blazed over the Pompano Park oval in 1:51.1 after sizzling through panels of :26.4, :54.3 and 1:22.2.

Feelin Lika Winner is a 9-year-old gelded son of Feelin Friskie owned by the Uppals–trainer Casandra and Rebecca–and vaulted his career bankroll over the $500,000 plateau.

He paid $3.60 to his multitude of faithful.

Mcjagersonthemove, a 7-year-old altered son of McArdle, earned a new lifetime mark with the win, his 20th career-wise.

Trained by Jennifer Petrelli for owner Marissa Russo, Mcjagersonthemove paid $3.80 as the 4/5 favorite.  

Prior to the pari-mutuel program, a large throng of drivers, trainers, owners and fans gathered in the winner’s circle to honor the memory of Veral Robert Bowman, a longtime horseman who was respected as a “great horseman and greater man,” as Jim McDonald remembered. 

Bowman’s wife of 59 years, Patsy, and sons Ted and Mike were among those attending the festivities.

Racing continues on Monday night with post time set for 7:20 p.m.