Baseball season ended last Wednesday night when Houston won the final game of the World Series, but on Sunday night (November 5) at Pompano Park it felt like the season was still going strong.
When the festivities concluded, the records showed a grand slam, two triples and three doubles on the line-up card.
The grand slam was recorded by Wally Hennessey in the four divisions of the (non-wagering) FSBOA sponsored Stallion Stakes for two-year-olds. The Hall of Fame driver won with I Rhoda Daley, Brian, Krinda and Gold Star Diablo.
I Rhoda Daley, a daughter of Desperado Don owned by Lee Clarke along with trainer Jason MacDougall, won the $25,200 division for trotting fillies in 2:03.2. After having made a sharp quarter (:31.2) move to the front, I Rhoda Daley proceeded on through panels of 1:01.1 and 1:32.2 before an effortless :31 finale left her more than 17 lengths ahead of Jennifer (driven by John MacDonald). Ms Katie B (Gary Braden) finished third.
The 2:03.2 clocking was a new lifetime mark for I Rhoda Daley, who began her racing career only six weeks ago with a win in 2:14. The win, her fifth from seven lifetime starts, pushed her bounty to $24,546, with the most lucrative portion of the Florida Stakes program just ahead.
Jay and (trainer) Kim Sears' Brian, named after Jay's Hall of Fame son, wired his competition for Hennessey in the $26,125 class for trotting colts and geldings. He clicked off panels of :31.1, 1:03.1 and 1:34 before a :30.3 closer was more than enough to hold Treasure Quest (Tom Lehmann) safe by four and three-quarter lengths. Prairie Eclipse (Mike Deters) recovered from a miscue before the half to finish third, while Jiro Dangerous and Captain Thomas picked up the minor awards.
Brian now has a 3-2-1 scorecard in seven starts with earnings of $22,655.
Krinda, a daughter of Six Of Diamonds trained by Kim Sears for husband-owner Jay, annexed her $26,650 division for pacing fillies. She blasted off the wings at the start and sliced through fractions of :28.3, :58.2 and 1:28.2 before a :28.4 closer sealed the deal by a widening six and a quarter lengths in a lifetime best 1:57.1.
Left in her wake were Prairie Easter (Corey Braden) and Starcasim (Joe Sanzeri) with Diamond Eyes and Prairie Folish next in the quintet.
In winning for the fourth time from seven career starts, Krinda vaulted her earnings to $23,637.
Hennessey completed his grand slam with Gold Star Diablo in the $26,300 class for the juvenile pacing colts and geldings.
The gelded son of Mysticism, trained by Mike Deters for owner Dan Clements, was unhurried off the gate before making an explosive move to the top past the :28 opener. Once on top, he cut the mustard the rest of the way -- :56.4 and 1:26 -- before the :28.3 closer stopped the clock in 1:54.3, a career best.
His margin of victory measured five and a quarter lengths over Silver Wings (Corey Braden). Jay Jay (John MacDonald) finished third. Mister Special T was fourth, followed by Dontblevmejuswatch.
The win was the fourth straight for Gold Star Diablo. His earnings now total $27,880 based on a 7-5-0-0 scorecard.
On the pari-mutuel program, Barbarian, who was given picture perfect handling by Rick Plano, squeaked by the vaunted Panocchio (Hennessey) in the final few yards to post a 1:51.1 win in the Open Handicap Pace.
Rockntouch (Mickey McNichol) finished third. Team Captain and Sing For Me George earned the minor awards.
At the outset, Barbarian (Post 5) pushed the starting gate's wings out of his way along with Panocchio. The duo engaged in an opening quarter duel that left the latter in front in :26.2.
After a half in :55.1 and the 1:24 three quarters, Barbarian left the coziness of the pocket and duelled Panocchio right to the wire. The outcome was decided with a photo finish.
After the race, driver Rick Plano said, "This was a question of having the slightly better trip of these two, that's all there is to it. Wally cut it and we were drafted along. His horse certainly didn't quit – he came his last quarter in around :27, too, but we just got the better trip tonight."
For Barbarian, a six-year-old gelded son of Somebeachsomewhere, it was his ninth win of the season from 28 starts, good for earnings of $49,560. He's banked $158,111 to go along with his new lifetime mark which was established in the mile for owner Robert Orr and trainer Edgar Clarke.
As third choice in the ‘Senditin’ betting crowd, Barbarian paid $9.20.
Plano had two other wins on the card, the first with Jamaican Cowboy ($4.20) in a claiming pace and the other with E R Melvyn ($4.20 ok) in a condition-optional claiming event. E R Melvyn, by the way covered his mile in 1:51.4, a seasonal best.
Plano had to share the spotlight with driver John MacDonald, who also had a triple – and a consecutive one, at that.
MacDonald hit the winner's circle with All Steinam ($3.80), followed by J Black ($3.60) and, finally, Dragon Fever ($2.60).
‘Johnny Mac’ was also credited with two training wins, as was Paul Bernardo and Kim Sears.
Racing continues on Monday night with first post pegged at 7:20 p.m.
(Pompano Park)