Safe From Terror, driven by Bryce Fenn, proved that last week’s victory over Godiva Seelster was no fluke as she rallied bravely in the lane to post a one and a quarter length victory in 1:51 over that rival in Pompano Park’s $10,000 Open Handicap Pace for mares on Wednesday night (November 30). It was her third straight win in the top class.
All Charged Up (John MacDonald), desperately trying to find racing room in the lane, did so, but too late, and finished a fast-closing third, just a neck back of Godiva Seelster (Wally Hennessey). Art Frenzy, in a ground-saving “even-steven” effort, finished fourth while Pertty Music was fifth in the septet.
A classy four-year-old daughter of Western Terror, Safe From Terror, starting from the outside post (seven), was in a fierce battle leaving the gate as Godiva Seelster, leaving from the six-post, and All Charged Up, beginning from post three, also set their sights on the lead. Godiva Seelster gained the top position a few strides before the sharp :26.3 opener with All Charged Up finally relenting and Safe From Terror wrestled back into third.
With a half in :55.2, Godiva Seelster maintained her advantage on the backside. She tried to thwart any challengers with a third quarter in :27.2 and reached the third station in 1:22.4 while All Charged Up was a locked-up second and Safe From Terror raced alongside.
At the stretch call, Godiva Seelster maintained her one and a half length lead, but the relentless Safe From Terror kept gnawing away, taking the lead late and drawing clear.
In a post-race interview, the normally quiet Bryce Fenn related, “Well, my mare has been very sharp the past few weeks as Lu (trainer Luanna Beeson) has done just a remarkable job with her -- and the whole stable, I might add.
“I left out of there along with Wally’s great mare (Godiva Seelster) and there was really a heckuva battle going on early and I had to make a decision on to stay in pursuit or take back. Well, I decided to take back and I really didn’t know if that was going to work out, especially on the backside and around the final bend as we really weren’t gaining much. She dug in late, though, and this was a real solid group she handled tonight.”
For Safe From Terror, the win was her 12th of the season, sending her 2016 bankroll to $156,635 for the Wichester Baye Acres. Lifetime, Safe From Terror now has $640,257 in earnings with a 24-8-12 scorecard in 67 starts.
As second choice at 7-2 on the toteboard, Safe From Terror paid $9.80 to win.
The ever popular “Over-The-Hill-Gang” trot was also contested on Wednesday night and Adenium, the 10-year-old senior citizen of his group, scored his third straight win, this one with Wally Hennessey in the sulky.
This gelded son of Revenue S, owned and trained by Dale Gilmour, led every stride of his mile, clocking panels of :27.2, :57.1 and 1:26.1 before stopping the clock in 1:55.2. Southwind Voltage (Mike Simons) finished second, three lengths away, while Through The Night (John MacDonald) was third. R G Rocket and Barbies Korvette earned the minors in the octet.
After the event, trainer Gilmour said, “Well, he’s feelin’ pretty frisky these days and he finished the mile the best he has in his last several starts.
“I guess I have to buy him some more bananas for his performance. He loves his bananas!”
The win was the 30th in Adenium’s career stretching 192 starts. He’s banked $231,782 lifetime -- $27,200 this year.
As the 4-5 chalk, Adenium paid $3.80 to win.
Racing continues on Sunday night with a strong 10-race program featuring a $2 million field of pacers in the $12,000 Open. The $650,000-earner Duc Dorleans seeks his second straight win after a 1:50.2 score last week. He’ll face the likes of Pop Cop, Hes A Lock, Rockntouch, Abreathofreshart, Here Comes William and Sing For Me George. Post time is 7:20 p.m.
(With files from Pompano Park)