Boli, driven by Wally Hennessey, completed a 'grand slam' at Pompano Park by winning his fourth consecutive $10,000 Open Trot on Wednesday night (May 17) and, in the process, earned Dan Hennessey his milestone 1,000th career training victory.
The five-year-old gelded son of Kadabra conquered the outside nine post and his eight rivals using a late burst of speed to score in 1:54.4.
Sailer Eddie, handled by Kevin Wallis, was second, a neck back of the winner, after cutting panels of :27.2, :57.1 and 1:26.1. My Revenuer, teamed with Bryce Fenn, finished third, three and three-quarter lengths away, while Undercover Bro was fourth. Skyway Pippen picked up the final paycheque in the field of nine.
Boli was away in good order from the difficult nine post and went looking for a spot up close early and, just past the opening panel, managed to find a spot in fifth and remained there until turn two when we wended his way out and began chugging forward.
On the backside with the pace quickening, Boli kept grinding forward, reaching second, one and a half lengths away past the third station.
In the lane, Sailer Eddie actually built the lead to two lengths at mid-stretch, but Boli kept gnawing away, getting the job done in the final two or three strides.
In a post-race interview, driver Hennessey said, “As I have said before, this horse has done some amazing things on the racetrack and, tonight, he showed what kind of a heart he has, especially when we get close to the wire.
“I am so proud of my brother, Dan, as he has overcome so many obstacles in reaching this milestone.
“He’s gone through so much and conquered so much that, in my eyes, he is a real hero in my eyes.”
Owned by Paul and Patricia O’Neil, Boli won for the sixth time in 10 starts, good for bounty of $35,280. Lifetime, Boli has 21 wins in 58 starts and earnings of $183,012 to go along with his mark of 1:54.2 achieved last month.
The winner was even-money on the board and paid $4 to win.
Dan Hennessey, by the way, is in the thick of the trainer’s race at the South Florida oval with 46 wins — three ahead of Tim Maier — with four programs remaining for the season. His UTRS is hovering at the .460 level.
The $9,500 Open Pace for mares went to Layer Cake, driven by Bryce Fenn.
The four-year-old daughter of Armbro Dynamic scored in 1:54.1, pinning a win measuring a half-length over the late charging Andro Madi (Dave Ingraham) with Sues Night Out (Wally Hennessey) third. Metro Glide finished fourth while Pertty Music earned the minor award in the field scratched down to eight.
Layer Cake left and yielded to Spilling The Beans through panels of :26.3, :56.1, 1:25.3, left the coziness of the pocket turning for home, and out-gamed Sues Night Out and Andro Madi to the line.
Trained by Rod Lorenzo, who co-owns with Souren Hovsepian, Layer Cake pushed her 2017 scorecard to 2-0-1 in only four starts with $9,640 in earnings. Career-wise, Layer Cake has eight wins in 35 starts and bounty of $72,039.
As third choice at 3-1, Layer Cake paid $8.40 to win.
Racing continues on Sunday night with a carryover in the Super Hi-5 of $27,376. First post set for 7:20 p.m.
(With files from Pompano Park)
Congratulations Dan for
Congratulations Dan for winning a thousand as a trainer. A great accomplishment. Wishing you and Wally continued success.