Drachan Hanover, confidently handled by Wally Hennessey, score a handy 1:51 win in Pompano Park’s $12,000 Open Pace on Sunday night (March 26).
The five-year-old son of Jeremes Jet, leaving from the coveted post five, darted off the Hummer’s wings into an early lead, yielded at the hot :26.1 opening station to Sing For Me George (Kevin Wallis), re-took a few long strides later and carved subsequent panels of :54.3 and 1:23.2 before an effortless :27.3 sprint home sealed the issue by three and a half lengths over Pointsman (Rick Plano), with Sing For Me George another nose back in third.
King Of The Crop, last for much of his journey in this classy quintet, finished fourth while Rockntouch was fifth, five lengths off the winner.
In a post-race interview, Hennessey related, “Last week when I drove him, he had missed a week and was just a little short at the end. Tonight, he felt determined behind the gate and I let him do what he does best — and that’s go!
“The pace was pretty hot but he felt strong the entire way. The half in :54 and a piece didn’t scare me at all because, when this horse is right, he can handle that. He was all on his own down the lane.”
Trained by Marcel Barrieau for owners Lloyd Maclean and Kenneth Rankin, Drachan Hanover pushed his 2017 scorecard to 3-1-0 in nine starts, good for $25,400.
Career-wise, Drachan Hanover now has 15 win in 60 lifetime starts and $441,682 in bounty.
As the 1-5 favourite, Drachan Hanover returned $2.40 to his multitude of faithful.
The $10,000 Open 2 Pace went to Heart Felt, driven by Bryce Fenn, also in 1:51.
This six-year-old gelded son of Well Said was sent on a mission as the wings folded and thwarted all challenges with sizzling panels of :26, :54.3 and 1:22.2 before a :28.3 waltz home capped the mile.
Heart Felt now has three wins in 11 starts this year and bounty of $22,635. Lifetime, he has earned $129,355 and a record of 1:50.4, also achieved at Pompano Park.
Trained by Luanna Beeson for Winchester Baye Acres, Heart Felt, off at 6-5, returned $4.60 to win.
Racing continues on Monday night with a septet of trotters mixing it up in the $12,000 Open Handicap Trot.
Boli will be looking for a repeat win in that event but must overcome the outside seven post to do so. Boli will have the driving services of Pompano Park’s leading driver, Wally Hennessey, and is listed as the 3-1 second choice on the morning line.
The 5-2 morning line favourite is Sooo Handsome, leaving from post five for owner/trainer/driver Rick Plano. This four-year-old has three wins and four seconds in 11 starts this semester and comes off a solid second in last week’s Open Trot.
My Revenuer, Explosive Muscles, Winding Hill, Celebrity Maserati and Sailer Eddie complete a very talented and well-balanced field.
Post time is set for 7:20 p.m.
(With files from Pompano Park)