by John Berry, for Pompano Park

Pompano Beach, FL — Safe From Terror, driven by Bryce Fenn, proved that last week’s victory over Godiva Seelster was no fluke as she rallied bravely in the lane to post a 1-1/4 length victory in 1:51 over Godiva Seelster (Wally Hennessey) in Pompano Park’s $10,000 Open Handicap Pace for mares on Wednesday night (Nov. 30). It was her third straight win in the top class.

All Charged Up (John MacDonald), desperately trying to find racing room in the lane, did so, but too late, and finished a fast closing third, just a neck back of Godiva Seelster. Art Frenzy, in a ground-saving effort, finished fourth while Pertty Music picked up the nickel in the septet.

Skip Smith photo

Safe From Terror took top honors in Pompano Park’s Open Pace for mares on Wednesday night.

A classy 4-year-old daughter of Western Terror, Safe From Terror, starting from the outside post seven, was in a fierce battle leaving the gate as Godiva Seelster, leaving from the six post, and All Charged Up, beginning from post three, also set their sights on the lead with Godiva Seelster gaining the top a few strides before the sharp :26.3 opener with All Charged Up finally relenting and Safe From Terror wrestled back into third.

With a half in :55.2, Godiva Seelster maintained her advantage on the backside, trying to thwart any challengers with a third quarter in :27.2 and reaching the third station in 1:22.4 with All Charged Up a locked up second and Safe From Terror alongside.

At the stretch call, Godiva Seelster maintained her 1-1/2 length lead but the relentless Safe From Terror kept gnawing away, taking the lead late and drawing clear.

In a post-race interview, the normally quiet Bryce Fenn related, “Well, my mare has been very sharp the past few weeks as Lu (trainer Luanna Beeson) has done just a remarkable job with her — and the whole stable, I might add.

“I left out of there along with Wally’s great mare (Godiva Seelster) and there was really a heck of a battle going on early and I had to make a decision on to stay in pursuit or take back.

“Well, I decided to take back and I really didn’t know if that was going to work out, especially on the backside and around the final bend as we really weren’t gaining much.

“She dug in late, though, and this was a real solid group she handled tonight.”

For Safe From Terror, it was her 12th win of the season, sending her 2016 bankroll to $156,635 for the Wichester Baye Acres. Lifetime, Safe From Terror now has $640,257 in earnings with a 24-8-12 scorecard in 67 starts. As second choice at 7-2 on the board, Safe From Terror paid $9.80 to win.

The ever popular Over The Hill Gang trot was also contested on Wednesday night and Adenium, the 10-year-old senior citizen of his group, scored his third straight win, this one with Wally Hennessey in the sulky.

This gelded son of Revenue S, owned and trained by Dale Gilmour, led every stride of his mile, clocking panels of :27.2, :57.1 and 1:26.1 before stopping the clock in 1:55.2. Southwind Voltage (Mike Simons) finished second, three lengths away, while Through The Night (John MacDonald) was third. R G Rocket and Barbies Korvette earned the minors in the octet.

After the event, trainer Gilmour said, “Well, he’s feeling pretty frisky these days and he finished the mile the best he has in his last several starts. I guess I have to buy him some more bananas for his performance. He loves his bananas!”

The win was the 30th in Adenium’s career stretching 192 starts. He’s banked $231,782 lifetime — $27,200 this year. As the 4-5 chalk, Adenium paid $3.80 to win.

Racing continues on Sunday night with a strong 10-race program featuring a $2 million field of pacers in the $12,000 Open Pace. The $610,000 winner Duc Dorleans seeks his second straight win after a 1:50.2 score last week. He’ll face the likes of Pop Cop, He’s A Lock, Rockntouch, Abreathofreshart, Here Comes William and Sing For Me George. Post time is 7:20 p.m.