Actor Hanover, driven by Kevin Wallis, took top honours in Pompano Park's $14,200 Open Handicap Pace on Sunday night, stopping the tele-timer in 1:49.2, lowering his mark — that he achieved two starts back — by a full second.
The five-year-old gelded son of Captaintreacherous led from first long stride to the last long stride, sawing through panels :26, :54 and 1:21.2 along the way to score by a widening 1-3/4 lengths over the late surging Agedchedar Hanover. Rebellious was third after applying only moderate pressure on the leader around the final bend. Scootnroll finished fourth while Busboy Hanover picked up the nickel in the classy field of seven.
After the event, the low-key Kevin Wallis said, "He went that opening quarter so fast, I was quite surprised. I thought maybe we'd be around :27 but he was just so strong that it didn't seem any different than :27. We had some company around the final turn, but he just kept rolling along and didn't seem to be in any danger through the stretch. He was really good and I am very proud of him. You know, I've driven a lot of 1:50 horses over the years but, as a trainer, this is the first horse that I have owned and trained that has accomplished a mile below 1:50."
The win was number five for the season for Actor Hanover, vaulting his 2021 earnings to $74,646. He's banked $209,336 lifetime.
In what the bettors considered an evenly matched field, Actor Hanover paid $7.40 as the third choice back of Rebellious ($2.20 to 1) and Maxdaddy Blue Chip (S2.60 to 1).
The $12,600 Open II Pace went to When You Dance, driven by Braxten Boyd for trainer Tee Wine and the Little Bapa LLC.
The six-year-old altered son of Mach Three, dipping down from the top class this time around, took command right at the opening :27.2 marker and posted subsequent fractions of :56 and 1:23.1 to hold off the furious late surge of Prairie Panther by a neck with Peter Dalt another nose back in third. Hard Rock Hulk finished fourth while Warrawee Velcoe finished fifth in the septet.
When You Dance sent his scorecard to 7-5-3 in 32 starts, good for $49,053. It was also a milestobe 30th career win to send his life bankroll to $261,836. Dismissed at 5-1, When You Dance paid $12.00 to win.
The $11,000 Open III Pace went to Mac Anover, who lighted the tote to the tune of 33-1.
John MacDonald was in the bike for the seven-year-old gelded son of McArdle, who took the short route home along the pylons to score by a half length over Lincoln James, with the fast-closing Art Scene next. Drunkonaplane and Real Peace were next — the latter desperately seeking room that never materialized in the lane.
Mac Anover is trained by John Hallett for Rick Howles and provided his faithful with a $69.40. The win, by the way, pushed his 2021 earnings over the $50,000 mark — $53,962 to be precise.
Finally, with Explosive Motion blowing up the board at 73-1 in an Amateur event for Jamie Marra, the Pick 5 went unsolved providing a $60,000 guaranteed pool for the Monday program.
Explosive Motion is trained by John Mungillo for Jamie Marra Racing and, besides the Pick-5 guarantee, the holders of the 4-8 winning daily double combo were rewarded with a $2 payoff of $2,185.60.
The track also has a carryover in the Pick 6 covering Races 3 through 8, as well as a Super Hi-5 carryover of $53,578. The Super Hi-5 is conducted on the final race of the program.
Racing continues on Monday (Dec. 27) with post time set for 7:20 p.m. (EST).
(Pompano Park)