Despite a prolonged deluge of rain, countless lightning flashes, accompanying claps of thunder and a one hour and 10 minute delay due to the weather, Pompano Park was able to get its racing program in on Wednesday night (May 24) with Goldstar Rockette taking the $9,500 Open Pace for mares and Groovey Kid annexing the $9,500 companion event for trotters.
Goldstar Rockette, a seven-year-old Florida bred daughter of Rock On driven by Bryce Fenn, won a brief tussle early in taking the lead and then went on to post fractions of :26.3, :56.4 and 1:24.2 before a :28.4 finale was just enough to hold off the furious late surge of Sues Night Out, handled by Wally Hennesseey, by a scant nose in 1:53.1.
Excelerated Speed, with Kyle Bolon in the bike, finished third, three and a half lengths away, while Andro Madi was fourth. Layer Cake, beginning from the outside post in her sextet, finished fifth, although unable to seriously contend in the sloppy conditions.
In a post-race interview, Fenn said, “With the sloppy conditions, I really wanted to keep the mud out of our eyes — both Rockette’s and mine,” he chuckled, “and the best way to do that was to try for the lead, especially from our post [two].
“She went a very game mile and dug in late to hold off Wally’s mare [Sues Night Out].
“To tell you the truth, though, I really didn’t know if we won it crossing the line.”
Owned and trained by Lou Ginesi, Goldstar Rockette, who had lost four previous photo finish decisions this semester, finally found one that went her way in winning for the first time this year in 15 starts. Her 1-6-3 scorecard now shows $25,257 this year with her lifetime earnings vaulting to $166,315.
As the 4-1 third choice in the betting, Goldstar Rockette paid $10.40 to win.
Groovey Kid, a six-year-old gelded son of Cincinnati Kid, went a remarkable mile for driver Wally Hennessey as he missed the gate by about 10 lengths at the start, dawdled at the back of the pack for the first half of the mile and then used a furious late rush to squeak by My Revenuer, with Bryce Fenn in the bike, to score by a half-length in 1:57.2.
In that event, Railee Workable (Walter Ross Jr.) used his rail post position to take command early, warring with Commentary (Andy Santeramo) before the latter took command after the opening station in :27.3 with Legend Field next, Seeking Steven fourth, My Revenuer fifth and Groovey Kid catching the field, but trailing.
Commentary took the field halfway through in :57.1, but met a severe challenge heading into the final turn as Railee Workable moved alongside, My Revenuer surged three-wide and Groovey Kid given room to roam widest of all.
Railee Workable did take a brief lead, but was unable to hold off My Revenuer, who, in turn was nailed a few strides near the line by the winner.
After the event, driver Hennessey remarked, "Groovey [Kid] has a whole lotta speed and talent, but he can be tough to handle on occasion.
"He has a mind of his own and he was well off the gate at the start before he settled down and got back to business. He really started to roll on the backside and he was motoring pretty good late, despite the track condition. He does amaze me sometimes!"
Trained by Dan Hennessey for owner John Campagnuolo, Groovey Kid won for the fourth time in 18 starts, good for bounty of $24,225. The win, his 24th career-wise, sent his lifetime bounty to $141,490.
Though he was 8-5 in the morning line, Groovey Kid went off as the third choice at 7-2 and returned $9.20 to win.
Racing continues on Sunday night with post time set for 7:20 p.m.
(Pompano Park)