Hennessey sweeps features

Eleven AM, put to one of his most severe tests of the season, gamely prevailed in the $10,000 Open Pace at Pompano Park on Saturday night for his second consecutive win in this top class. Driven by Bruce Ranger for the Berry Stables of Staten Island, N.Y., Eleven AM just lasted by a head over Welu’s Dreamboat and Anthony Napolitano. Star Role, handled by Wally Hennessey, was a very fast closing third, just a neck off of the winner, who was timed in 1:51.1.

Eleven AM, who left from the inside post, was sent right for the lead and then yielded to Doctor Viagra, who took the field to the quarter in a snappy :27. Ranger then pulled the trigger on Eleven AM, but it took a full eighth of a mile before he could clear from the headstrong “Doctor.” Ranger then took his charge to the half in :55.2 and, from there, the pace quickened on the backstretch as Doctor Viagra took another shot as the field zipped on to the far turn.

Reaching the three-quarters in 1:23.2, Eleven AM and Doctor Viagra were racing as a team with Welu’s Dreamboat two lengths back as they turned for home. The stretch charge was something to behold as Eleven AM drifted out ever so slightly allowing Welu’s Dreamboat to punch his way through on the inside and Star Role closing fastest of all on the far outside.

With the first three across the line all timed in 1:51.1, the photo proved Eleven A M the narrow winner.

For the 4-year-old son of Falcon Seelster, it was his ninth win of the year in 34 starts sending his lifetime bankroll to $315,853—$62,212 of that this season.

In the $8,250 co-feature for pacers, Yankee Leader, the 8-year-old free-legged son of Artsplace, overcame the assignment of the outside seven post and scored a game 1:52.2 win for Hennessey.

Owned by Hilliard Graves of Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Yankee Leader avoided trouble while wending his way to the front just before the half and went on to score by a length over Armbro Aviator (Wallis), who was subsequently disqualified and placed last for causing confusion in the field while attempting to be rated after a headstrong opening quarter of :26.3.

Sir Beach Dragon, who finished third for Dave Ingraham and 5 ¾ lengths back of the winner, was moved up a notch to second while Perfect Host (Anthony Napolitano) was advanced a spot to third.

Once on top, Yankee Leader carved fractions of :55.1 and 1:24 before using a :28.2 final quarter to score his ninth win of the year in 33 starts. He’s banked $180,825 in his career. (Pompano)

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