Ed Hensley, a former meet driving champ at Cal-Expo, Fraser Downs and Tioga Downs, is quickly proving he's loving life in The Sunshine State at The Isle Casino Racing Pompano Park
. His talents in the bike were showcased as the South Florida plant presented its first top class event of the new campaign for pacing fillies and mares on the Saturday evening, October 1 program.
In the $12,000 purse affair, Hensley sat fourth along the inside until the field turned for home with Keep On Flirtin, a new recruit to his Florida operation that had been campaigned over the past meet in New York state at Tioga Downs by Phil Fluet. Vaulting out four-wide down the lane, Keep On Flirtin stormed home to catch the pace-making May Lady Bonnard with Andy Santeramo in the bike in 1:53.2. Three-year-old filly Gold Star Glitter, from the Florida Breeders' program, followed in for third with Wally Hennessey driving.
Over the first four programs of the new meet at Pompano, Hensley, formerly of Blaine, Washington, has won almost half of his starts for a lofty UDRS hovering near the .440 mark. The win with Keep On Flirtin was his first training start of the meet as the mare equalled her life's mark. The four-year-old Cambest-Rockin Lady mare is also now racing from Hensley's ownership.
The 13-race Saturday night card at Pompano also had a $12,000 purse top level Open Pace. Wally Hennessey is owner and driver of Tough Trooper, who benefitted from a pocket trip to scoot up the pylons and catch the pace-setter Dragons Blood in a 1:53.1 score. It was a measure of redemption for Tough Trooper, who was disqualified for a break past the half on September 24, which scattered the field. Bagel Man, in rein to Hensley, finished third.
Dan Hennessey trains Tough Trooper, a seven-year-old Tough Sir-Arcatraz gelding, for his brother Wally. It was the fourth win in 18 trips this year for the pacer, who pushed his season's earnings to more than $33,000 and career earnings to more than $156,000.
Racing resumes on Wednesday, October 5, with 11 races carded and a Pick-4 carryover of $786.00.
(Pompano Park)