Hennessey stars at PPK

There were three stars at Pompano Park Saturday night: Wally Hennessey scored a grand slam by winning four races on the program, including the $10,000 Open Handicap pace with none other than Star Role, in 1:53.3, and the third star of the night was Santa Claus, who came to Pompano Park on his miniature horse sleigh, with candy cane treats for all the children.

Hennessey started his winning ways in the very first race, wiring the field with VP Power ($6) in 1:54.3 by 1 1/4 lengths over Ginnie’s Best (Bruce Ranger) and Rusty’s Gold (Daryl Bier). Ginnie’s Best saw his four-race winning streak come to an end. For VP Power, it was his 11th victory on the year.

Then, in the fourth race pace, Hennessey scored again, this time with Shine Towel ($20.80), who came from off the pace to win by a half length in 1:55.2 over Tobadforyou (David Ingraham) and Champlain (Steve Oliwa). It was the fourth win this year for Shine Towel.

In the eighth race pace, Royal Knight ($8.20) made it three wins for Hennessey when he guided the 8-year-old gelding by Albatross to a one-length triumph in 1:55 over Summertime Sam (Ranger) and Gimmea Blue Chip (Joe Pavia Jr.). For Royal Knight it was his fourth win in 2006.

Hennessey then capped the evening with Star Role ($14.80) in the 10th race feature.

When the race started Welu’s Dreamboat (Anthony Napolitano) went right to the lead, with Honest Lawyer (Bier) grabbing the two-hole spot as they sped past the quarter pole in :28. They raced Indian-file past the half-mile pole, in :58, and the three-quarters in 1:26.1.

Then as the paced quickened, Hennessey, who had Star Role in third place along the rail, pulled to the outside and started gaining ground on Welu’s Dreamboat. Star Role was able to collar Welu’s Dreamboat, look him in the eye, and pass him to win by a half length at the wire. Doctor Viagra (Brett Miller) closed well to be third.

It was the ninth win this year for Star Role, a 7-year-old gelding by Magical Mike trained by Tom Harmer and owned by Michael Polansky of Loudonville, N.Y. (Pompano Park)

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