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 in the $15,000 Open Handicap Trot.

The six-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.

Wind Of The North led every long stride of his epic mile, hitting the opening station in :27, lolly-gagging over to 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. Striking Ivy, with Kevin Wallis in the bike, was second, four lengths back, while Midnite Craze, driven by Ivan Davies, was third.

“All I did tonight was grab a hold of his lines and let him take me around for the ride,” said Wally Hennessey. “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. Wind Of The North paid $2.60.

Pompano Park’s $11,000 Open 2 Trot went to Genius At Work and driver John MacDonald.

The five-year-old son of Credit Winner led at every juncture, punching the timeclock 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, with Sailer Eddie and Kevin Wallis teaming up for third.

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 over the $100,000 plateau--$102,547 to be precise.

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 six-year-old pinned the defeat measuring 1-½ lengths on the late closing El Diablo Rojo, handled by Steve Condren, with Tater Twister third for John Cummings, Jr.

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 Mac Pherson and Wayne Mac Rae, the win was the second of the year for Buddy Hally and his fastest winning performance since a Mohawk win in 1:53 over 18 months ago. Buddy Hally now has 13 lifetime wins and career bounty of $359,601.

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.

(With files from Pompano Park)