Wally Hennessey continued his red-hot streak at Pompano Park on Monday (October 29), by sweeping all four of the (non-wagering) FSBOA Sunshine State Stakes for three year-olds.
Four different trainers and owners benefitted from Hennessay's touch as the author of an astounding .815 UDR coming in guided I Rhoda Daley, Captain Thomas, Krinda and Gold Star Diablo in their respective $12,000 wins.
First up, I Rhoda Daley, trained by John Hallett for owner Lee Clarke, scored in a ‘Secretariat-like’ performance, as she annihilated her foes by more than 21 lengths in 2:01.4 – a new lifetime mark – for her fourth straight win in the Sunshine State Stakes for trotting fillies.
The daughter of Desperado Don, last year's champion in her juvenile division, carded panels of :30.2, 1:01.3 and 1:31.3 along the way.
Ms Katie B (who was driven by Gary Braden) was second with Cookie (Jay Sears) third.
Wally Hennessey (left) swept all four Sunshine State Stakes at Pompano Park on Monday night
In the trot for the boys, Captain Thomas made a sharp quarter move to the front and used a :28.4 finale to keep his record unblemished in his four starts in the Sunshine State Stakes.
The altered son of Proud Bushy, trained by Dan Hennessey for owner John Campagnuolo, scored by almost five lengths over the early leader, Dangerous Mood (Jim McDonald). Brian (Mike Deters) completed the roster.
Also a champion in his 2017 class, Captain Thomas is now four-for-six this year in his quest to retain his crown in this year's division on Super Night.
In the filly pace, Krinda somehow found a seam at mid-stretch and knifed on through late to score by a half-length in 1:56, which equalled her lifetime best.
The daughter of Six Of Diamonds – who was lightly raced at two but was a champion in her class last year – scored a narrow win over Prairie Foolish (Jim Meittinis) in an action-packed mile which saw Krinda appear hopelessly locked in until the final stages.
Starcasim (Joe Sanzeri) was third while Prairie Easter and Diamond Eyes earned the final two awards in the sextet.
Krinda is trained by Kim Sears for owner-husband Jay.
In the colt/gelding pace, Gold Star Diablo, who is a gelded son of Mysticism, held on gamely late to score by a half length over the late-charging Silver Wings (Bryce Fenn) to hit the wire in 1:55.4.
Mister Special T, who closed fastest of all for Mike Simons, finished third, just a length away, while Gold Star Flick and Dontblevmejuswatch rounded out the combatants.
Trained by Mike Deters for owner Dan Clements, Gold Star Diablo won for the third consecutive time to send his career bankroll just $24 short of $75,000.
On the betting card, Northern Dali, driven by Mike Simons, found a slight seam along the pylons late to score a narrow win in the $10,000 Open Handicap Pace for mares.
The ultra-consistent six-year-old daughter of Dali, trained by Gaston Lareau for JP Houle Stable, pinned the photo-finish defeat on pacesetting Galarina (Jason Dillander). Little Joke, with John MacDonald in her sulky, was a fast closing third, followed by Watts Was I Drinkin and A Wish For Wings.
Northern Dali now has a 9-8-5 scorecard from 34 starts, good for $62,656 this year and $237,925 lifetime.
Sent postward as the fourth choice, Northern Dali paid $12.00 to win.
Racing will continue on Tuesday night. Post time is set for 7:20 p.m.
(Pompano Park / FSBOA)