Hennessey Sweeps Pompano Features

Published: October 5, 2016 12:37 pm EDT

Hall of Fame driver Wally Hennessey swept Pompano Park's two Open events on Tuesday night (October 4), as the grand mare Godiva Seelster took top honors in the top event for pacing mares and a somewhat-raucous Boli won the top race for trotters.

Godiva Seelster, the splendid six-year-old daughter of Camluck, got picture-perfect rating through early panels of :27.1, :57 and 1:26.1 before sprinting home in :27 to score a handy three-length win in 1:53.1. The pocket-sitting Goldstar Rockette (driven by Kevin Wallis) finished second and Leaveum Lady (Tim Maier) finished third. De Valeria and Asset Management completed the roster in the quintet.

Trained by Dan Hennessey for owners Paul and Patricia O'Neil, Godiva Seelster won for the seventh time this season. The mare’s 32nd career victory sent her career bounty over the $300,000 mark--$302,237 to be precise.

Godiva Seelster, the 1-20 favourite, paid $2.10 to win.

Boli – who seemed a bit unruly during the post parade and eventually caused a recall while refusing the gate – had the benefit of the magic Hall of Fame hands of Hennessey to help him compose and took the top trot in 1:56. The winning margin was three quarters of a length over Driving Miss Crazy (John MacDonald) and McKenzies Star (Fern Paquet Jr.). Tymal Recap and JJ Alex, the early leader, picked up the final cheques.

After the event, Hennessey related, "He (Boli) was just in a bad mood during the post parade. He gets that way sometimes. Once I got 'reasoned' with him and told him 'he' wasn't the boss, he was fine. But he can be a bit moody and, last night, he was a little brat during the post parade."

Off as the 1 to 2 favorite, Boli returned $3.00 to win.

Hennessey had two other wins on the program, as he completed a ‘grand slam’ with the trotter Sakima ($8.20) and Gleneagles ($2.10), in the third leg of the FSBOA-sponsored Sunshine State Stakes.

Racing at Pompano will resume on Sunday night with a Super Hi-5 carryover of $5,011.24 awaiting the punters.

First-race post time is set for 7:20 p.m.

(With files from Pompano Park)

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