The “mini” feud that has developed between Hall of Famers Wally Hennessey and David Miller will be settled on Sunday, March 6 at Pompano Park in a match race between two horses with nearly identical resumes coming into the action.
The Florida Amateur Driving Club has put up the sponsorship to settle the feud, which will benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation and Tomorrow’s Rainbow.
The horses involved to settle this “mini” feud are, of course, “mini” horses, those pint-sized horses that have graced Pompano Park for many seasons participating in promotions and shows.
Wally Hennessey will handle the lines behind the undefeated six-year-old gelding Pooh and trainer Stacy Furgang says her “mini” is ready for action.
“He trained an eighth mile in 1:58.2 today and I told Wally that I think he can go in the 1:55 range, so maybe we’ll have the edge on our competition.”
Trainer Kathy Breedlove believes she has the upper hand with the undefeated gelding Maalik, also a six-year-old making his first start of the year.
“I’ve brought him along slowly but he really showed me what he’s made of with a training session in 1:57.3 for his eighth mile…and he was well within himself," said Breedlove.
Maalik will be driven by David Miller and had some sharp words for the competition.
“I am out to prove superiority here with the horse I have and I am taking no prisoners when the gate opens. It will be war out there and I expect to be in the winner’s circle at the conclusion.”
Hennessey then remarked, “Let him blow smoke! The horse I have is undefeated and I intend to keep him undefeated. It’ll all come out in the wash, that’s for sure.
"Come out in the 'wash?'" Miller retorted. "Maybe was referring to Cattlewash, one of the fastest horses I have ever driven!"
Of course, the big winners will be the Make-A-Wish Foundation, providing miracles for children every 14 hours in their quest to make a child’s wish come true.
Tomorrow’s Rainbow is a special place for children, teens and families that have experienced trauma by death by incorporating interactions with horses with therapeutic play, support play and individual therapy.
All of this is possible by the Florida Amateur Driving Club that has donated more than $230,000 to worthy charitable organizations since their inception as their membership of amateur drivers donates all of their driving earnings in FADC races to the cause.
The “Mini” feud will be settled between the fourth and fifth races on Sunday night.
Also Sunday night, the FADC will conduct their Pro-Am events with greats Wally Hennessey, Mickey McNichol, Dave Ingraham and Bruce Ranger locking horns with the top amateur drivers in a three race match-up in races two, four and six.
Post time for the Sunday festivities is 7:20 p.m.
(Pompano Park & FADC)