The debut in Florida just couldn’t have been any more perfect for 28-year-old driver Joshua Sutton on the Friday, November 12 program at The Isle Casino-Racing Pompano

Park.

“It was just great to come into a situation where I was picking up a live drive and to get the job done in the feature race of my first program here,” a beaming Sutton in the live trackside post-race TV interview. “I knew of the reputation of how tough Nillabomb was from watching her on simulcasts over the past couple of years. Eric Beach, the trainer, has her so good again, he deserves most of the credit. To win in my first drive here is something I’m very thankful for and will never forget for the rest of my career,” he added.

In the $12,000 purse weekly pace for the South Florida track’s top mares, Im Just Special was gunned to the front by Wally Hennessey only to see Sutton on the move from third just past the quarter with Nillabomb. The Admirals Galley-Be A Little Lady roan five-year-old miss was in command the rest of the way as she put away the final half first over move of favoured Martha Brown, in rein to Bruce Ranger, and then held off a final closing rush by longshot Witch Trials, in rein to Dan Clements. Trainer Eric Beach thus swept the top two positions in the event, as he trains Nillabomb for Trifecta 246 Stable of Michigan and Witch Trials competes for Exit 67 Racing of Boynton Beach, Florida. Martha Brown held third and Im Just Special settled for fourth in her return to Florida.

Sutton, a native of Henderson, Kentucky, is in the midst of a career best year in the bike. He’s driven in over 1,400 races in 2010 and the victory with Nillabomb was his 209th top prize of the year. His purse earnings of $2.26 million is already a career high for a single calendar year.

“I started out at the Chicago tracks and then made my way to the Hoosier Park and Indiana Downs circuit where I was most recently,” Sutton explains. “This win tonight was not part of some short term vacation. I want to stay in Florida for this entire meet. As for my driving style, I’d say I’m passive and aggressive as the situation calls for and what is best for my horse in a given race and situation.”

A one time scheduling variation will take place in the coming week with a live card planned for Thursday evening, November 18. There is no live program on Friday, November 19 due to a concert.

Except for the coming week with the Friday program moved ahead 24 hours, post time is 7:05 p.m. EST each Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday at The Winter Capital Of Harness Racing. Tuesday programs are added to that schedule from December through March.

(Pompano Park)