by Steve Wolf, senior director of racing operations, Pompano Park

Pompano Beach, FL — For the second straight week, Table Wine ($12.80) was the right vintage for betting fans at Pompano Park as the 7-year-old gelding won the $12,000 Open Trot once again on Wednesday, July 2.

Not only did Table Wine go off at the same odds (5-1) as he did last week, he also covered the race in the identical time (1:56) as last week for driver Dan Clements.

Lap Time Photo – Skip Smith

Table Wine held off Guys Gets Girl and Gale Warning to win the $12,000 featured trot.

The fifth race feature race started off with Guy Gets Girl (Bruce Ranger) going to the early lead with Table Wine in second place by the opening quarter in :28.1. But this week Gale Warning was on the move from post six, churning to the lead in front of the grandstand and was in command by the half-mile marker in :58.1 for driver Wally Hennessey.

But as the field entered the backstretch, Clements made a bold move with Table Wine, moving first-over and collaring Gale Warning at the three-quarter pole in 1:26.4.

Then as the trio started down the stretch, Clements urged Table Wine on and the trotter responded by taking the lead and then holding off Guy Gets Girl to win by a head. Gale Warning was a close third.

Trained by Terry Merriman for wife and owner Robin, it was the sixth win this year for Table Wine, who is a son of Muscles Yankee.

Driver Dan Clements was at his best Wednesday, scoring a Grand Slam with four victories on the night.

You’re Next ($4.40) continued his remarkable comeback to the races after nearly a year layoff, winning for the second straight week for driver Wally Hennessey. Competing in the ninth race trot, You’re Next left from post seven and got to the early lead, then gave way to Feel LA (Walter Ross, Jr.) after the opening quarter.

Then in the backstretch, Hennessey left the pocket trip, came first-over in the backstretch and cleared to the lead before the three-quarter mark. They then breezed home an easy winner by 2-1/2 lengths in 1:57 over Blushfire (Bruce Ranger) and Beerthirty (Mickey McNichol).

Undefeated this year after two starts, it was the 15th win in just 20 career starts for You’re Next, who is trained by Fred Cohen and owned by Andrew Sassen.

As usual, You’re Next’s good luck charm, 91-year-old Ruth Dunay, the grandmother of Andrew Sassen, was in the winner’s circle. Dunay has yet to miss one of You’re Next’s 20 career starts.