The two fillies raced as a team for the final half mile leading up to the tie. Southwind Trini, by Rocknroll Hanover-Tattoo Hanover, was put on the lead early by Wally Hennessey in :27 seconds and at the :55.4 half for the ownership of Karma Stable of Parkland, FL and trainer Tom Artandi. Coming to call on the outside for the final half mile was JK Geronimo by Bettors Delight-JK Getoutofmyway, piloted by David Ingraham for owner Joe Martinelli of Staten Island, NY and trainer Paul Bernardo. The fillies blitzed the backstretch in :27.4 to the last turn in 1:23.3 and all the way to the dead heat conclusion in 1:52.3.
It was the first win in 26 trips this year for JK Geronimo and the 6th win in 22 starts in 2011 for Southwind Trini. The clocking represented a life's mark for both.
Also taking advantage of the beautiful December conditions on Monday evening was trotter Holy Halibut.
He etched a new speed tab onto his chart as he increased his win streak to four-in-a-row in a $5,300 conditioned test with Wally Hennessey in the bike.
The son of Holy Guacamolie-CR Gone Fishin was put on top at the quarter in :28.2 and as the 3-5 public choice he had the luxury of a well rated half in :58.4. The third split was in 1:27.4 and Holy Halibut appeared to win with something left as he froze the timer 1:56.2. Mr Party Man with Joe Pavia, Jr. in the bike followed in the pocket for second and Tangier, driven by Bruce Ranger, also had a following trip and was third.
Dan Hennessey trains Holy Halibut, who is now on a four-race winning streak. Owner Arthur Mergenhagen of Williston, FL made a private purchase of the trotter last Spring from his former owner, developer and breeder Rod Allen of Ocala, FL.
Holy Halibut might soon be ready to challenge Sun Island (1:55.3) in Pompano's track records chart for the three-year-old trotting gelding category. Mack Lobell's 1987 spin in 1:54.2 still reigns as the fastest overall mile by a three-year-old male trotter at the South Florida plant.
(Pompano Park)