Jim McDonald refuses to take all the credit for pulling off Wednesday's major upset at Pompano Park

. He moved his tack to South Florida in 1980 from his native Newfoundland and is one of the track's longest serving trainers, but seldom suits up to drive.

"My wife deserves the credit for just how well this trotter Anton K has come along," McDonald said after he was in the bike for the double-digit upset in Pompano's fifth race, which set up another generous payoff of almost $600 in the track's Pick-4 wager.

"Donna and I have only been married for two years, but she's really taken a shine to Anton K. You take today, for example. She was here from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. before her day job as a veterinarian technician with Dr. Caputo. Then, she rushed back to the track after work. It's really just the best when everything comes together for people who work so hard in this business."

Anton K, a six-year-old Yankee Glide--Box Trot gelding, left from Post 1 in the conditioned trot. McDonald kept his charge covered up on the inside until the field turned into the stretch. At that point, the duo fanned out four wide. The late brush was enough to nip 5-2 co-favourite Celebrity Force by about an inch right on the money.

"Really, this horse shouldn't have been off at double-digit odds because he'd been trotting consistently in the 1:57-1:58 range," McDonald offered. "He'd been sort of begging to get to the winner's circle. A lot of people are asking if my wife had a word with the driver before the race. She did and I finally listened."

Notable Mile For Sun Island

A 1:55.3 tour of the South Florida oval for Sun Island on the December 15 program turned out to be one of the best miles in the track's 47-year history for a three-year-old trotter.

The CR Excalibur--Sun Isle gelding was making his debut in the care of trainer Mario Desserault after a $10,000 claim (plus allowances) last week by Gene Kirsch of Coconut Creek, Florida from Dan Daley. The track record for three-year-old male trotters of 1:54.1 by Mack Lobell has stood since November, 1987 (and it's also the longest standing category track record at Pompano). Sun Island's effort yesterday did eclipse the track standard for three-year-old gelding trotters, which had been held at 1:56.2 by Railee Possible and Talk About Me.

There's live racing at Pompano each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday evening at 7:05 p.m. Next week, a Thursday program is added on December 23 and there is no live racing on Saturday, December 25.

(Pompano)