He'd delayed his announcement until December 1st on whether he'd stay in Florida for the entire winter meet at The Isle Pompano Park, and on the Wednesday evening, December 16 program his decision looked like a stroke of genius for 21-year-old driver Matt Kakaley

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Less than six months ago he became the youngest reinsman in history to surpass 1,000 lifetime winning drives. Kakaley topped all drivers on the midweek program in South Florida on the 75 degree (24 C.) evening with three winners, and that was in addition to a near miss for a fourth with veteran claiming pacer Rare Glory who was just caught at the wire.

Kakaley's first win was with trotting mare Vals Empress, trained by his mother Linda. The six-year-old daughter of C R Renegade-Balanced Empress handled a field of claiming distaff foes in 2:00.2 for Big Frank Stable of Parkland, Florida. G W Gracie Dane with David Ingraham and Cherrio with Richard Simard in tow followed under the wire.

Kakaley's winning touch with Wednesday evening trotters remained true three races later. He adeptly steered Fudgjoe down to the pylons in late stretch to nip the fraction-setting Baseball Express and driver Mike Deters right on the money in 1:56.1. Jim Langley trains Fudgjoe for owner Ernest Truffa, Jr. of Canonsburg, Pennsylvania. It was the 12th career win for the five-year-old Crown Can-Super Petite gelding and his second score this year.

The hat trick was completed by Matt Kakaley with yet another trotter, claimer Proud Chipper, on the program's ninth race. The Pine Chip-Proud Catch eight-year-old gelding was let go at 3-1 as he racked up his third straight front end score and 23rd career win. Proud Chipper is owned by his trainer Vito Fuoco of Reading, Pennsylvania. Fuoco lead all conditioners with two winners on the program as he also sent out claiming pacer Pocket John to score in 1:56.2.

Top Trotter Debuts Friday

The $13,000 Open Handicap Trot on the Friday evening, December 18 program has a noted new entrant in three-year-old colt Tom Cango.

The son of Tom Ridge-B Cor Tamgo was the third place finisher to Muscle Hill in October's Kentucky Futurity final at The Red Mile. The career winner of almost $450,000 has been transferred from the care of Jim Campbell to race in Florida from the barn of Bill Gallagher by owners Arlene and Jules Siegel.

Tom Cango has drawn Post 4in Friday evening's fifth race. The dominant top class performer this meet, Battleshoe Victor has been assigned the outside post in the field of seven. On Saturday's evening doubleheader program, track record holder Esmeralda Semalu will try to rebound from last weekend's upset loss to three-year-old filly Bling in the Mares Open Pace, and the final card on Saturday night will see Rick Schaut's outstanding Mai Tai Guy clashing with six rivals in the $13,000 purse Open Pace.

Because December 25 falls on a Friday this year, there will no racing on that date at The Isle Pompano Park. Otherwise the schedule of live cards each Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday evening at 7:05 p.m. will carry forward into 2010 at The Winter Capital Of Harness Racing.

(Pompano Park)