60th lifetime win for Panocchio

Pompano Beach, FL…April 30, 2018…Panocchio, earned his 60th career victory on Sunday night (April 29), scoring that milestone win in the harness racing feature Open II Pace at Pompano Park in 1:51.3 over Four Socks (Tyler Shehan) and Kotre Yael (Corey Braden) with the favored Rebellious and Major Starlight also earning minor awards in the classy septet.

Wally Hennessey was in the grand gelding's sulky for the occasion–for the 38th time at Pompano Park–and, despite being assigned the outside post position, was able to work himself to the top through a :27.3 opener before posting number of :56 an 1:23.3 along the way.

After the event, Hennessey related, "He's eight years-old now and might not be able to go in track record time anymore, but he's tough as nails, especially when he grabs the racetrack. He sure knows how to dig in when they're coming at him and tonight was no different.

"I had to send him from this outside post because he's always anxious to join the party when the gate opens. Once on top, he did the rest all on his own. There's no use to ask him for more because he knows what job hew has to do and he does the best he can."

Trained by Jim Mattison, who co-owns with Emile Johnson, Jr., Panocchio now sports a lifetime bankroll of $520,843 with $29,700 of that this semester on the strength of a 2-4-0 scorecard in eight starts.

The victory was the fifth on the card for Hennessey, vaulting him over the 200 mark for the 2017-2018 season at Pompano Park.

Hennessey got his first win of the night in the second race with Warhorse in 1:54.1.–that eight year-old gelded son of Jereme's Jet scoring his first win of the year for trainer James Quinn, who co-owns with H. Nelson Baitzel III.

Win number two on the evening was with Caviart Reagan, a four year-old son of Bettor's Delight, who toured South Florida's five-eighths mile oval in 1:52, equaling his lifetime best. Owned and trained by Jim McDonald, Caviart Reagan blasted to the lead on the backside from the garden spot and paced his final half in :55.3 for the impressive score.

Hennessey's 200th win of the season came with Art Again, earning his first win of the year for Gaston Lareau, who trains for JP Houle Stables, The seven year-old gelded son of Dragon Again won gate-to-wire in 1:54.2, a new lifetime mark.

The sharp Florida bred Prairie Panther, winning his 2018 debut in a lifetime best 1:52.2, earned the grand slam for Hennessey as that four year-old son of Royel Millenium cut panels of :27.1, :56.1 and 1:24.4 before a :27.3 finale sealed that deal for co-owners Mike Deters and Laurie Lee Poulin.

Panocchio then capped the five-win performance, vaulting Hennessey's total to 202.

Earlier in the evening, The Florida Amateur Driving Club held their weekly event with Dein Spriggs winning with his own Garlandsandpearls in a thrilling three horse photo finish in 1:59.1.

In a winner's circle presentation after the race, Club President Deion Spriggs was joined in the winner's circle by FADC members to present a generous donation to Latinos Salud, founded 10 years ago to create a safe space for Latino gentlemen and their partners for support and resources covering HIV testing, intervention, counseling and health programs.

Executive Director Dr. Stephen Fallon accepted the donation by saying, "We appreciate the generosity and interest shown Latinos Salud and salute the harness racing community and the Florida Amateur Driving Club in assisting us with this much needed donation."

Racing continues on Wednesday night with the Super Hi-5 carryover of $5,102.

Post time is set for 7:20 p.m.

by John Berry for Pompano Park