Upon arrival less than eight weeks ago, driver Matt Kakaley said he'd make a decision by December 1 on whether he'd stay the winter at Pompano Park or return to Ohio

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"I've made up my mind and Florida is my home now," said Kakaley. "Things have gone really well and I'm making a good enough living here to stay. Although it was a great place and big stepping stone for me, I won't be returning to Northfield Park (Cleveland) this winter.”

The statistics would seem to prove the wisdom of his decision. Last Friday and Saturday, for example, he appeared in 14 of the 20 weekend races carded, and that included drives in all but two races on Pompano's showcase Saturday night program. From his first 125 drives at The Isle Pompano Park, he's recorded a slate of 17 wins to go along with 14 runner-up finishes and 19 times rounding out the top three for over $123,000 in purses. He was less than three months making his way into the top eight in the drivers' standings.

"Originally the plan was to come to Florida to help my mother (trainer Linda Kakaley) with our stable of seven horses," Matt explains. "The trainers that have put me down to drive is just incredible. I'm just really thankful for the faith they've shown in me."

"We're really happy with Matt's decision to stay on full time with us here, he sort of had us on pins and needles about what he'd decide until he made his announcement on TV here on Monday evening," says The Isle Pompano Park's Director Of Racing Operations John Yinger. "Pompano is a great place to race for people of any age. In my travels I can tell you for sure that our fans and followers are really happy to see Matt in the line-up here every night. On our backstretch, having a 21-year-old around with his accomplishments is really great. Plus, he's polite and professional. I'd be in the camp that thinks he's got a tremendous future. The fact he's chosen Pompano as his home we see as a big bonus."

A Whirlwind Year

At age 21, it's been a vintage year to remember for Matt. He became the youngest driver in history to surpass 1,000 lifetime winning drives and along the way he amassed a fine year's scrapbook of highlights.

"You never know what a given year is going to bring but 2009 was way better than expected," Matt says. "Winning some major stakes at Northfield Park and at the Red Mile were great experiences I can draw on in the future, plus getting a drive in The Little Brown Jug was terrific. Then, since I've come to Pompano, I've had a win in the Open Pace and last Friday night I got to drive Special Sweetheart, a really top, top filly that set the track record. It's going to be tough to top this in 2010."

He also says he's patterned his driving style and horsemanship around the example of his dad, John, most recently a regular in the driving colony at Plainridge. To his credit, Matt doesn't shy from answering tougher opinion questions as well, such as whether protective flak jackets should be mandatory for drivers.

"In some places like Ontario and Kentucky you have to wear them, but personally I don't like them," Matt says. "I find a protective vest restricts my movement too much. I wear one when it's the rule that I have to, but I choose not to in places that don't have it in the rules. That could prove to be a mistake someday if I'm a wreck. But that's how I feel about the flak jacket issue right now."

Looking ahead to 2010 after the current meet in South Florida, Matt says he has no firm plan in place just yet. He says he'll be open to travel for stakes engagements but just which track will be his Summer home base next year has yet to be determined.

"Before any of those decisions have to be made, we've got a really big night coming up in Florida this Saturday night (December 5) with the Florida Breeders and Owners (FSBOA) Super Night,” he added. “I'm really excited about it and I've got a really good one to drive in the two year old filly pace division with Isle Of View Too. I'm just focused on trying to drive them all well and continuing to earn my place in the really talented drivers' group here."

(Pompano Park)