Two-year-old trotting filly Seeking Jeanie is giving her owner and breeder the time of his life

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“Wow, this has been a long time coming since I’ll soon be marking 40 years in the business,” Arthur Mergenhagen of Williston, Florida commented in a live TV winner’s circle interview after his prized filly romped in the $33,564 Florida Stallion Stake for two-year-old state-bred trotting fillies. “The last time I can recall having a horse I owned win six straight was at Buffalo Raceway in 1992. This is even more special since we bred this filly. We hope this can last for about a month through the Florida Super Night because she’s giving us the ride of our lives,” he added.

Seeking Jeanie has been flawless from the time she first set foot on the track at The Isle Casino Racing Pompano Park. She was developed and driven in her first two starts by Rod Allen. Wally Hennessey has been in the drivers’ seat for her last four consecutive conquests and throughout she’s raced from the care of Jim McDonald.

“I’ve only experienced something like this twice before in my career,” McDonald said. “Probably the best known horse that I had win six straight was Macadream. I came here 30 years ago from near St. John’s, Newfoundland, and this is something new to have a two-year-old in my barn pile up the wins like this to start their career. It’s sort of exciting to think that we really don’t know ‘Jeanie’s’ full potential yet,” he added.

The daughter of Wesgate Storm-Sightseek was in command early and cruised to victory in a life’s mark of 2:03. Second choice Little Peanut, driven by Robert Williams Jr., applied only mild final half pressure after starting up from fourth. The pocket-sitter, Brielle T, driven by Robert Hoffman, followed in for second just ahead of Marie and Donald Dupont’s Trotting For Daddy. Little Peanut had to settle for fourth money after the first over bid.

The Fall Series of the Florida Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association (FSBOA) continues in a big way on Saturday night. There are two pacing divisions each of the Florida Stallion Stake for the two-year-old fillies and the two-year-old colts and geldings.

Because of a Friday night concert, for this week only there’s a Thursday evening program on November 18. Otherwise, the live racing schedule this month has a 7:05 p.m. EST post time each Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday evening at The Winter Capital Of Harness Racing. Details will be finalized next week for the December and 2011 live racing schedules at the South Florida venue.

(Pompano Park)