Sea Shadows, handled by Wally Hennessey, opened the eyes of the harness racing purists on Tuesday night (April 12), putting in an amazing performance to stretch her winning streak to four at Pompano Park in the $14,200 Open Pace for mares.
The gallant seven-year-old daughter of Shadow Play stopped the timer in 1:53.1 after missing the gate by a few lengths at the start, overcoming a miscue just after the opening marker and losing a couple more lengths while at the end of her pack, and then, spending the final half-mile just grinding away in a tenacious effort.
Reporting to the wire ahead of Evas Spirts Czech (Ken Holliday) and Vicious Circle (Rick Plano), who tied for second, Sea Shadows's winning margin was a scant head with LA Always Amartini another neck back in the four-way thriller. Ourlittlemiracle picked up the nickel in this classy sextet with all combatants timed within a fifth of a second of each other.
As the wings folded, Sea Shadows, beginning from her assigned outside post, lagged off the gate as flames seemed to ignite early as a quartet of mares looked intent on the top spot with LA Always Amartini the fastest through an opener in a lava-like :26.1 with Ourlittlemiracle, The Stunning Nun N, Vicious Circle and Evas Sports Czech next in front of the training Sea Shadows.
Shortly after the opening panel, Sea Shadows appeared to run up on Evas Sports Czech, which caused her to back off a couple more lengths to get composed. Into turn two, Sea Shadows tilted out and, past the :56.1, was in flight with a :27.4 backside brush of her own to join the leader at the third station in 1:25.
Once they straightened away, La Always Amartini and Sea Shadows were in an all-out war with Evas Sports Czech and Vicious Circle joining the fray to the wire with the photo finish camera acknowledging the winner.
"I have been racing her very aggressively the last few starts and decided to race her off the pace tonight," said driver Hennessey after the race. "Her bobble after the opening quarter was my fault as she ran up on the horse in front of her. She composed herself right away and, when she got going, she was as determined as I have ever seen her.
"She sure made her trainer look great tonight, that's for sure!"
Yes, Hennessey trains the mare for owner Paul O'Neil and the win was her sixth of the season in 13 starts, vaulting her 2022 earnings to $47,024 and lifetime total to $283,521.
Off as the 2-1 second choice, Sea Shadows paid $6.40 to win.
The $12,000 Open II-III Pace for mares went to Donegalartchokin N, driven by John Macdonald for trainer Mike Deters, who co-owns with John Manning.
The seven-year-old daughter of Bettors Creek came from "downtown" to nail the win on the wire in a race that showed some six lead changes during the1:53.3 mile. Dont Chip Me (Kevin Wallis) was a neck back in second while Crisp Mane (Hennessey) was next. Roll With Angel and Protect Blue Chip picked up the final two awards in the sextet.
In that one, Roll With Angel was first off the wings with Protect Blue Chip taking over at the :27 opener. Shortly after, Crisp Mane brushed up to take charge at the :55.2 half with an aggressive Roll With Angel brushing from third on the backside to reclaim the top spot at the third station in 1:24. Turning for the money, Crisp Mane and Roll With Angel kept battling with Dont Chip Me joining the fray at the 16th pole and sticking her nose in front, only to be nailed by Donegalartchokin N on the wire.
The winner's scorecard now reads 3-2-3 in 14 starts, good for $24,993 this semester and $113,296 lifetime.
Off at 18-1, Donegalartchokin N paid $39 to win.
Wally Hennessey had a consecutive driving "hat trick" on the Tuesday program with Rose Run Wildcat ($3.40) and Odds On Chedar ($3.20) joining the aforementioned Sea Shadows on the list while Tyler Jones and Joe Chindano Jr. had consecutive doubles. Jones swept the early Daily Double ($41.60) with Coco Hall ($12.80) and Northern Dali ($6.60) while Chindano took top honours with Shoshie Deo ($11.80) and Prairie Westerngal ($10).
Racing continues on Sunday for the final program in the 58-year history of Pompano Park with a full buffet of wagering options including a pair of Pick-4 events with $15,000 guaranteed pool bolstered by that industry low 12 per cent takeout and a mandatory payout on the Super Hi-5 finale with its carryover pool of $15,707. Post time for Sunday will be moved up to 7:01 p.m.
(With files from Pompano Park)