The relief effort by horsepeople at The Isle Pompano Park has exploded over the weekend and the rig of accomplished horseman Tom Harmer will now be used to haul the collections to those in need

from the Lebanon Raceway barn fire in Ohio.

"We had to decide on a central collection point because of the volume of items that people brought forward," says Pompano-based trainer John Hallett, who is spearheading the donations effort. "The amount of stuff piled in front of Harmer's barn at Pompano headed for the folks in Ohio looks just like it would if a 30 horse stable just shipped in," he adds.

The itemized list headed for the Lebanon Raceway barn fire relief effort now includes four horses, six race bikes, seven jog carts, 20 sets of harness, and 30 water buckets. "And that's not really a complete list just yet, we won't really have a full tally until we load up Tommy [Harmer's] rig on Sunday evening," Hallett adds.

There's also going to be a substantial cash component to the Pompano donation to the Lebanon Raceway barn fire relief effort. Hallett has set out his personal collection of whips that he's amassed from the sport's top drivers over the years from many of their rich and historic victories. They'll be offered at auction on Sunday to the crowd attending the noon yearling and mixed annual sale of the Florida Standardbred Breeders And Owners Association just inside gate 5 at the South Florida track. For those from distant points wishing to donate, Hallett will personally take phone bids at 570-417-8543 until early Sunday afternoon.

"The whip in the auction from the late Stanley Dancer's last lifetime win started off with a $125 bid, but as of midnight it up was to $350," Hallett says. "We also expect the Ron Pierce whip from the 2008 Meadowlands Pace win with Art Official over Somebeachsomewhere to be a really popular item too."

Bling Tops Older Mares

World record holder Esmeralda Semalu made her return to The Isle Pompano Park in the $13,000 Fillies and Mares Open Handicap Pace. Even though she had a record tour of the South Florida oval in 1:49.4 earlier this year, she was denied victory in her first start back after a month's rest.

Esmeralda Semalu appeared to be headed for victory. After Chapsboots N Spurs with Wally Hennessey hung up a first quarter of :28, Joe Pavia, Jr. had 'Esmeralda' out and moving to command at the half in :57. Third quarter pressure was applied by Lucy Lucy with Matt Kakaley to the third marker in 1:25.2 and turning for home it appeared as though 'Esmeralda' was home free.

However, the Florida Breeders Stake champion three-year-old filly Bling had other ideas. After a following prudent trip just off the pace from David Ingraham, the Scoot Outa Reach-C The Glory filly was tipped out for clear sailing coming out of the final turn. Nearing the wire Bling edged by to stop the clock in 1:53.3 on the track, which had been dulled by late afternoon and evening rain showers.

It was the eighth win in 11 starts this year for Bling, trained by Mark Friedman for Polo Stable of Boca Raton. This win in The Isle Pompano Park's top weekly distaff event pushed her career bankroll to $98,400.

The $13,000 Open Pace was saved for the second half of the Saturday evening doubleheader, and it was amply worth the wait. Mai Tai Guy, in rein to Rick Schaut, withstood a parked trip through fractions of :26.3, :54.3 and 1:23.1. Improving position right behind him all the way was Cammabis, with Kevin Wallis, who came on in late stretch for the win in 1:52.3. McRyan Michael, with Bruce Ranger, was a hard closing second and Mai Tai Guy persisted for third.

Cammabis thus recorded his 13th win in 39 starts this year to push his 2009 earnings to over $96,000 and career bankroll to $236,000. Paul Holzman trains the six-year-old Cambest-Majestic Lady gelding for owner Fred Reitberger of Boca Raton.

(Pompano Park)