Track record falls in Florida feature

No Nonsense Yankee established the track record for a 4-year-old pacing gelding at Pompano Park on Saturday when crushing his rivals in the co-featured $14,000 Open Handicap Pace in 1:50.1 to better the previous mark of 1:50.2 set by The Paper Wazoo in December of 2000.

Starting from post five with Hall of Fame driver Wally Hennessey at the lines, No Nonsense Yankee settled briefly in fourth place through the first turn of Friday’s featured pace as Eleven AM (Bruce Ranger) guided the field through an opening quarter mile that went in :27.2.

As the pacers straightened out to make their first trip by the grandstand, Hennessey moved No Nonsense Yankee off the pylons, and with a rush the pair engulfed the field to claim the top spot before carving out middle fractions of :55.1 and 1:22.3.

After turning back all combatants on the final turn, No Nonsense Yankee entered the stretch with a 1 3/4-length advantage and coasted unchallenged through the lane to prevail by three lengths, after a final quarter that was clocked in :27.3.

No Nonsense Yankee returned $4.20 and $2.60 for his record-setting victory, while Eleven A M brought in $3 for second. There was no show wagering available on the race.

Owned by Despina Powell and trainer Mike Deters, No Nonsense Yankee has visited the winner’s circle 10 times during his 4-year-old campaign, and boasts a seasonal bankroll of $72,989.

Hennessey returned later in the evening to capture the co-featured $14,000 Open Handicap Trot behind Terminator Hall ($5.60) for owner John Bach and trainer Jim McDonald.

After tracking the early leaders from sixth place in the six-horse affair, Hennessey aggressively moved Terminator Hall three wide down the backstretch to reach the front, before sprinting clear in the final turn and holding off a late charge by C Le Noir (Gerry Kazmaier) to score by a length. Indian hill Rocket (Kevin Wallis) finished third.

The triumph marked the third straight trip to the winner’s circle for Terminator Hall, who has enjoyed a strong three-win December after posting just four victories through the first 11 months of his 5-year-old season. (Pompano Park)

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