Goldstar Classic and Pocket Trip took their respective divisions of Pompano Park’s duet of $10,000 trotting features on Monday evening.

Goldstar Classic was superbly handled by Hall of Famer Wally Hennessey as this six-year-old gelded son of Classic Photo scored a gate-to-wire win in 1:56.3 measuring three-parts-of-a-length over the late-charging Diamond Dagger, driven by Mark O’Mara. Mckenzies Star, prominent throughout the journey, finished third, a length away.

Indeed, Hennessey sent Goldstar Classic bursting out of the gate and into the lead through an opener of :28.1 with Highland Yankee second, Gold Savage next and Mckenzies Star fourth. Pointe Of Inquiry was fifth at this juncture followed by Majestic Won with the 3-5 favourite, Diamond Dagger, lolly-gagging at the back of the pack.

Tapping on the brakes during the second panel, Goldstar Classic got a :30.2 second quarter breather, reaching the half in :58.3 with Highland Classic maintaining the garden spot and Mckenzies Star now on a first up jaunt as they entered the backside. The pace began to quicken as Mckenzies Star attempted to apply pressure on the leader and, at the third station in 1:27, Goldstar Classic and Mckenzies Star were heads apart with Highland Yankee searching for room to roam and Diamond Dagger farthest out but closing stoutly—her rally falling short as Goldstar Classic sealed the deal with his :29.3 closer.

In a post-race interview, Hennessey relayed, “Once we got to the half softly, I thought we had a chance to go all the way. He tries hard every step of the mile and he hasn’t seen a :58.3 half in a long time. It was a fitting way to perform in his 100th lifetime start, wasn’t it?”

Indeed, Goldstar Classic won for the 18th time during his career spanning a “century” in starts and the win sent his career bounty to $111,556.

Trained by Dan Hennessey for Tim Rzepka, Kevin Kelly, Joe Connors and Vince Giorlando, Goldstar Classic returned $8.40 to win as the second choice in the betting.

Pocket Trip, under the expert direction of Fern Paquet, Jr., stepped up a couple of notches in class after a 1:54.3 win last week and promptly went right back to the winner’s circle, scoring a handy win—one length—in 1:54.4 over the late closing Buddy Hally, driven by Wally Hennessey. Bloodstockshalltab, making his initial start for new owner-trainer Dennis Whittemore, finished third for John MacDonald.

It was Tater Twister sprinting from the gate along with Buddy Hally with Pocket Trip, also showing a bit of early foot, finding a cozy spot in third. Once the early dust settled, positions remained stagnant through panels of :27.1 and :57.2 with Pocket Trip edging to the outside halfway through and brushing strongly on the backside, assuming the lead heading into the final turn with nary a threat developing thereafter.

Trained by Allie Berube for J&M Racing, Pocket Trip, a six-year-old gelded son of Angus Hall, won for the second time this season and 22nd time career-wise and gave driver Fern Paquet, Jr. “the best birthday present.”

After the event, Paquet said, “last week, he (Pocket Trip) was very sharp, so I decided I’d try and use the same strategy here as last week’s win. When I tilted him out, he just took off—the same as last week. Allie (trainer Berube) has him very sharp. This was ‘the best birthday present.’ I enjoyed this ride very much!”

Pocket Trip now has lifetime earnings of $166,780 with the win.

Even with the step up in class, Pocket Trip was the even-money favourite and paid $4.00 to his many followers.

(Pompano Park)