With Southwind Vavoom gone to The Meadowlands for Thursday evening action in The Horse And Groom Series, leading Pompano horseman Bruce Ranger is making no attempt to hide his sense of relief about the situation

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"That was an incredible trip Southwind Vavoom went here last week and in my opinion he stands to become a great, great horse," Ranger said after Andover America captured the Wednesday evening top trot in South Florida for a $14,000 purse. "I moved out on him [Southwind Vavoom] last week but couldn't get to within three lengths of him. I've been around here close to 30 years and I've seen all the great trotters that have come through. It could be quite a while before we see another one go under 1:53. I was really relieved when I saw that Lormer McClure shipped him up north," Ranger added.

In the mid-week feature, Ranger and his stable star left the gate strongly along with Lord Burghley, partnered by Wally Hennessey. Andover America seized the lead for good just past the quarter of :28.1 and rated the middle stages in :58 and 1:26.4 while putting away the first over bid of PC Moonshine, driven by Anthony Napolitano.

Lord Burghley persisted for second and Strong Hope, in rein to George Napolitano Jr., followed in for the show position.

"I made sure my horse worked hard in the stretch and came a good last quarter [of :28 seconds] because that's still a really good group that races in the top class here," Ranger said. "I wanted to make sure none of them burst out and surprised me."

Ranger also spoke of his eager anticipation for the drivers' challenge set for March 14-16. The track's top nine drivers by wins at the conclusion of the Saturday, March 5 program will square off for $17,500 including an $8,000 top prize to the winner.

"I may have the most wins here this meet but it means nothing with the great format that's been devised for the drivers' challenge," Ranger said. "We won't be able to choose which horses we drive in the challenge and the random draw will be a great equalizer. I really get pumped up for drivers' competitions. It should be three really great nights of theatre," he added.

The final two berths into the drivers' challenge are still up for grabs. The six drivers still for those two coveted spots in the competition are Kevin Sizer, David Ingraham, Tom Sells, Joe Pavia Jr., Chuck Connor Jr. and Jason Dillander.

Happy Birthday, Mike!

Long serving Pompano horseman Mike Deters celebrated the occasion of his 49th birthday with a pair of wins on the March 2 program. He's the trainer and co-owner of five-year-old Grinfromeartoear-Smicker Snicker gelding See You Smile, who toppled a $4,100 conditioned pace group with Anthony Napolitano in the bike. Larry Barnett of New Jersey shares ownership of the pacer. Deters returned for a second helping of the winner's circle when Super Lotto stepped to a life's mark of 1:55.3 in a $7,500 purse conditioned trot. Deters is the sole owner of the Wewering-Eng Amer Goldie gelding.

The fourth generation horseman from Lima, Ohio resides in Coconut Creek, Florida.

Also on the mid-week card, the Pick-4 wager returned $15,209 for a $1 ticket.

(Pompano Park)