The fillies and mares were featured at Pompano Park on Monday (Nov. 22) and Hall of Fame driver Wally Hennessey swept all three feature events for the ladies as he guided Persistent Bettor, Odds On Cheddar and Indian Creek Kyla to the winner's circle in their respective events.
The consecutive "hat trick" in races five, six and seven began with Persistent Bettor. Returning to the racing wars after a near three-month layoff, she led at every call to score in a conditioned-claiming event in 1:54.1, despite starting from the outside seven post.
The six-year-old daughter of Bettors Delight put up numbers of :27.2, :57 and 1:25.1 before a :29 finale never left the issue in doubt -- her margin 1-3/4 lengths over the pocket-sitting Gemalous (Braxten Boyd) with Big Bad Baby (Ken Holliday) third. Major Maid and Hypnotic Racer earned the minors in the field of seven as the winner, trained by John Hallett for Rick and Geoff Howles, won for the fourth time in 33 starts this year, sending her earnings to $39,227 and $168,156 lifetime.
Despite the long layoff, Persistent Bettor was the 4-5 public choice and returned $3.60 to her multitude of faithful.
About 25 minutes later, Hennessey guided Odds On Cheddar to a handy 2-3/4-length win in, again, 1:54.1, using a game first-over backside bid from third to collar the heavily favoured Gypsy Merlot at mid-stretch and then on to victory over the late-charging Northern Dali (Fern Paquet Jr.), closing stoutly along the pylons. Gypsy Merlot (Rick Plano) was another nose back in third over A Wish For Wings and Fox Valley Tinka.
Trained by Jim McDonald for Twenty Four Carrot Racing, Odds On Cheddar, a six-year-old daughter of Betterthancheddar, earned her 25th lifetime win -- fourth this semester -- in sending her seasonal bounty to $25,699 and $112,475 lifetime. The 1:54.1 clocking was a seasonal best, as well.
Dismissed at 6-1 on the tote, Odds On Cheddar paid $14.20 to win.
Less than 20 minutes later, Hennessey completed the natural "hat trick" by giving Indian Creek Kyla a picturesque journey to take the $9,000 Fillies & Mares Open III Pace in 1:54.
This six-year-old daughter of Real Desire, trained by Mike Murphy for wife Barbara, Geneva Steward and Ann Pugsley, zipped off the wings to take charge early, yielded to Goldstar Rockette (Kevin Wallis) after the :27.4 opener, enjoyed a relaxed outing through subsequent panels of :56.1 and 1:24.4, and wore that one down once straightened away to score by a pair of lengths over Goldstar Rockette. Once again, Reticent Hanover (Joe Sanzeri) closed fastest of all to be third while Rock N Roll Rosie and Elm Grove Nellie were next in the field of six.
The win was the fifth of the year for Indian Creek Kyla and sent her 2021 earnings to $25,181. She vaulted to $92,318 lifetime with this 14th career victory.
Off at 4-5, Indian Creek Kyla paid $3.80 to win.
"Well, all three mares raced terrific," said Hennessey. "This mare [Persistent Bettor] is always in tough company and the bit of class relief helped her tonight. She was ready to go, though, and after a long layoff, she was very impressive. Lots of credit goes to her trainer [John Hallett]. After all, he's the one who got her ready to go!
"About [Odds On] Cheddar, she really was good tonight. When I sent her first-up on the backside, she really responded with determination. She can grind a bit when she's in the mood...and she seemed to be in the mood tonight.
"As for Murph's [trainer Mike Murphy] mare [Indian Creek Kyla], I wasn't quite sure what to expect in her first start here and a week off. But she's got some pop when she's got some room to go forward. She left willingly when the gate left, we got a great trip and she responded when she had clear sailing.
"Horses win races...horse power wins races...the driver just helps when he can. Tonight, they won on their own!"
Racing continues Tuesday with yet another $15,000 guaranteed pool the the popular Pick-4 featuring an industry low 12 per cent takeout. The Super Hi-5 finale jackpot has ballooned to $5,813 for the pre-Thanksgiving program. Post time is set for 7:20 p.m.
(With files from Pompano Park)