Adenium, handled by Dan Daley, made amends for his untimely miscue last week by eking out the narrowest of decisions in Pompano Park’s Open 1 Trot on Wednesday night.
The seven-year-old son of Revenue S, though starting from the rail, lollygagged near the back of the pack in seventh as Blushing Hanover (Mickey McNichol) and Waiting On A Woman (Wally Hennessey) traded punches through panels of :27.3 and :56.2.
On the backside three-eighths out, Waiting On A Woman made an unexpected break on the lead enabling Blushing Hanover to, again, inherit the lead with, first, Gale Warning (Kevin Wallis), and then Commander K (Jason Dillander) joining the fray with Ill Tell You What (Dave Ingraham) making it a foursome after three-quarters in 1:26.
A sixteenth out, Ill Tell You What stuck a nose in front, but farthest out, Adenium was flying from nowhere and earned the victory in the very last stride of the mile, which was timed in 1:56.
Ill Tell You What was second, followed by Blushing Hanover with Commander K and Prairie Big John receiving the minors.
“This horse is like a little Cadillac to drive," said Daley. "You know, they only gave $3,000 for him, but he sure has risen through the ranks to be among the elite here at Pompano.
“I sure didn’t want to have a repeat performance of last week, so I had to be a bit careful leaving. This being a coolish night for Florida (upper 60s), I was hoping for some lively fractions. When I saw :56.2 on the board, I thought he had a shot to pick up some horses late...and, as it turned out, he picked up all of them tonight.”
Adenium did not trot a single mile in 2:00 until his 46th lifetime start, but now has a mark of 1:54.1 -- accomplished January 2 this year at Pompano Park.
Trained by Dean Gilmour, the win was worth $5,750 for owner Lloyd Gilmour and $15.20 to those who plunked $2 on Adenium’s nose. The win keyed a $180.20 exacta, a trifecta of $791.60 and a superfecta payoff of $1,060.32...for a dime.
(Pompano Park)