When the call went out for stall applications from The Isle Casino Racing Pompano Park for the 2010-2011 season, Director of Racing Operations John Yinger wasn't

quite sure what to expect. In short order, he got the answer loud and clear.

"Really we can only call it an overwhelming response," Yinger says. "It's already certain we will have a full capacity of horses on the Pompano backstretch by mid-October. We're going to have at least 20 new stables here this year and a lot of them are high profile and accomplished people in the industry wanting to race with us."

Among the horsemen confirming their interest in entering horses to race in South Florida in the coming year are Mark Ford and Doug Brown.

"Mark Ford, as most everyone knows, recently surpassed $40 million in career training purses and in addition to his operations in South Florida with yearlings and 2-year-olds he's confirmed he wants to race at Pompano this season," Yinger says. "Doug Brown is an inductee into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall Of Fame, and he indicates he'll be here for the start of the season in spite of that vertebrae injury he had this summer up at Kawartha Downs. Doug has applied for and been granted 8 stalls."

Pompano's leading driver from last year and all-time, Bruce Ranger will be returning and top trainer Dan Hennessey is back as well.

"Overall, with the high volume of applications we received we were able to be more selective about what we felt would be best for the on-track product for our fans and followers this year" Yinger adds.

Still other new or returning faces at Pompano this season will be Chicago-based trainer Bruce Pacitti and trainer-driver Mike Micallef, originally from Michigan and most recently campaigning in New York.

Horsepeople are urged to contact stall superintendent Bobby Owens at (954) 647-1902 for specific stall allocations and barn locations before shipping to Pompano.

The 47th season of live action at The Winter Capital of Harness Racing commences at 7:05 p.m. on Saturday, October 16.

(Pompano Park)