by John Berry, for Pompano Park

Pompano Beach, FL —Wind Of The North, with Hall of Fame driver Wally Hennessey handling the lines, trotted the fastest mile in Pompano Park history on Monday night (March 28) in the $15,000 Open Handicap Trot.

The 6-year-old gelded son of Cantab Hall, owned by Joann Dombeck along with trainer Jenny Bier, stopped the clock in 1:52.2, eclipsing Southwind Vavoom’s time by two-fifths of a second. Striking Ivy, with Kevin Wallis in the bike, was second, four lengths back, while Midnite Craze, driven by Ivan Davies, was third, 7-1/2 lengths back. Natural Herbie rallied to finish fourth while Oho Diamond, at the back of the pack for much of the mile, finished fifth in the septet.

Skip Smith photo

Wind Of The North trotted the fastest mile in Pompano Park history on Monday night, stopping the timer in 1:52.2.

Wind Of The North led every long stride of his epic mile, hitting the opening station in :27, the half in :56.2, thwarting any thoughts of challengers during a :27.3 third panel, reaching that station in 1:24, and home in an effortless :28.2.

In a post-race interview, driver Wally Hennessey gave all the credit to the horse saying, “All I did tonight was grab a hold of his lines and let him take me around for the ride. I really didn’t think he was going that much — he was doing it so effortlessly. The conditions were perfect tonight and this trotter proved he can race against the big boys anywhere; he’s that good!”

For Wind Of The North, it was his second win of the season in just three starts and 20th triumph career-wise in 75 starts, sending his lifetime earnings to $497,308. As the 1- 5 toteboard favorite, Wind Of The North paid $2.60 to his multitude of followers.

Pompano Park’s $11,000 Open 2 Trot went to Genius At Work, driven by John MacDonald. This 5-year-old son of Credit Winner led at every junction, punching the clock in :28.1, :57.1 and 1:24.4 along the way before coasting home and stopping the timer in 1:55. Jailhouse Jessica, with Ricky Macomber Jr. handling the mare’s lines, finished second, a length away, with Sailer Eddie and Kevin Wallis teaming up for third. The favorite, Jesse’s Promise, made a miscue early on but recovered and finished fourth while Winding Hill, on a break of his own around the final turn, eventually finished fifth while earning the nickel.

For Genius At Work, trained by Robert Bencal for Little E LLC, it was his second success of the year in only four starts, good for $11,125. The win also pushed the gelding’s lifetime bounty to $102,547. As the 5-2 second choice, Genius At Work paid $7.20 to those smart enough to wager $2 on his nose.

The $10,000 Open 3 Trot found Buddy Hally in the winner’s circle shortly after the son of Angus Hall toured the South Florida oval in 1:54.2 for Kevin Wallis. The 6-year-old pinned the defeat measuring 1-1/2 lengths on the late closing El Diablo Rojo, handled by Steve Condren, with Tater Twister third for John Cummings Jr. Benns Score Keeper and R G Rocket picked up the minors in the octet.

Enjoying a double-dip in class, Buddy Hally was sent right to the front and clocked panels of :27.2, :56.2 and 1:25.2 before the :29 finale sealed the deal. Trained by Gregg McNair, who co-owns along with Howmac Farms, Reginald MacPherson and Wayne MacRae, the win was the second of the year for Buddy Hally and his fastest winning performance since a Mohawk win in 1:53 more thanr 18 months ago. Buddy Hally now has 13 lifetime wins and career bounty of $359,601. As the 3-5 favorite, Buddy Hally paid a dividend of $3.20 on behalf of his $2 investors.

Driver Wally Hennessey, leaping towards 9,000 North American wins during his star-studded career, notched a natural grand slam on Monday night, winning the fourth with P L Intowin ($23.20), the fifth race with Boli ($4.20), the sixth with the aforementioned Wind Of The North, and the seventh with Bettor On Top ($2.80). His victory total now stands at 8,996.

Racing continues on Tuesday night with the $15,000 Open Handicap Pace for mares. A field of nine will face the Hummer Starting Gate with Pertty Music, last week’s winner, looking for her second straight victory against a talented field including Just A Bee, Godiva Seelster, Southwind Trini, Totally Rusty, All Charged Up, Jets Are On, Limelight and Goldstar Rockette. Post time is at 7:30 p.m.