Despite "missing the train as it left the station," Boli, driven by Wally Hennessey, erupted with a huge rally in the final half mile to score a photo finish victory in Pompano Park's $9,400 feature trot on Monday night, covering the distance in 1:55.3.
The four-year-old son of Kadabra, stepping up to Open company for the initial time this season, put in a memorable performance in pinning a defeat measuring a neck over Sailer Eddie (Kevin Wallis) with Bambino Hall (Aaron Byron) just another nose away in third.
At the outset, it was Sailer Eddie on the bullet train early in the bulky field with Midnite Craze protecting his rail position and Bambino Hall finding a spot in third and Count Speed wending his way into fourth. Meanwhile, Boli was dead last and more than 15 lengths out of through an opening panel in :27.3.
With Sailer Eddie appearing to get somewhat of a breather during the second panel, positions remained virtually stagnant with only Tater Twister-moving from sixth to fifth-and My Revenuer were out and attempting to close the gap on the leader, who reached the half in :56.4. On the backstretch, Midnite Craze left the coziness of the pocket to engage the Sailer Eddie with Bambino Hall edging a tad closer along with Tater Twister.
Meanwhile, Boli, who moved three wide just past the half, was gobbling up ground and, by the time Sailer Eddie reached the third station in 1:26, Boli was then four wide, now sixth, and less five lengths off the lead. His rally continued all the way home, with his :28.3 finale just enough to hit the line first.
After the event, Hennessey said, "I still can't believe what just happened. Horses just don't do what he just did. I've been in this business for 45 years and I've have seen it all-until just now. This was the most unbelievable mile in my lifetime. I mean it! He (Boli) got a bit tangled up in the hopples early and made a slight skip and wasn't really focused on business and, gee, we must've been close to 20 lengths out of it when we started. In other words, the train left the station without me! I just can't believe it. Again, horses just don't do what he did tonight!"
For Boli, trained by Dan Hennessey for Paul and Patricia O'Neil, it was the gelding's fourth consecutive win and ninth win lifetime sending his career bounty to $74,664--$15,012 this semester. Boli returned $3.80 to win.
Racing continues on Tuesday night with Godiva Seelster seeking her second straight win in the $12,100 Open Pace for Mares.
Post time is 7:30 p.m.
(Pompano Park)