Jolenes Pinehonker – who gave a serious hint in his last start by trotting his final half in :55.4 to finish second – used his improved post position this week (Post 1) to easily capture Pompano Park's $10,000 Open Trot on Wednesday night.
The five-year-old altered son of Pinetucky, driven by Ed Hensley for trainer Mark O'Mara and owner Lester Raber, began edging closer from fourth early on and then sprinted from third to the lead on the backstretch. He went on to score by one and three quarter lengths over the early pacesetter, Pure Barre, for his 16th lifetime victory, a win that pushed his lifetime bounty to $322,345 from 48 lifetime starts.
Pure Barre, handled by Mickey McNichol, did finish second while Mr Web Page, longest prop on the board at 24-1, finished third for Wally Hennessey. HP Forte, an uncoupled stablemate of Jolenes Pinehonker, finished fourth while Guiltywithanexcuse finished fifth. The 7-5 favourite, Andover America, made a miscue early in the mile and finished last in the field of six.
In a post-race interview, driver Hensley said, "Mark (trainer O'Mara) said this horse can brush a bit and that he was real good last week but just too far back off of some soft fractions. Having the rail really helped this time around and, when I asked 'Pine-whatever-his-name-is' to go, he really took off….a nice trotter!"
As third choice in the pool, Jolenes Pinehonker paid $8.20 to win.
What does $16.00 plus $33.80 plus $11.40 plus $8.40 plus $4.80 equal? Answer: At Pompano Park this Saturday night, a Pick-5 pool guaranteed at $25,000 – the largest in track history.
Post time remains at 7:05 p.m. for Saturday’s 10-race program.
(With files from Pompano)