It was an evening that had it all...a contest with a premium top prize, miniature horse rides trackside, winner's circle interactive games, a handicapping seminar, a showcase of state bred stakes races, and exotic distance races all under a perfect 81 (29 C.) degree setting

- Back To The Track Night 2011 was a resounding success in Florida at The Isle Casino Racing Pompano Park.

The on-track handicapping contest, held over Races 2 through 9, was won by Edgar Awin, who amassed almost $600 profit in imaginary bets. He was presented with the grand prize of a trip for two to the Little Brown Jug in a live winner's circle ceremony by trackside reporter Gigi Diaz and Steve Carpenito, the assistant racing secretary and handicapping commentator at the South Florida venue.

The early races of the program featured first leg divisions of the Sunshine State Stakes for purses ranging from $5,000 to $7,700 in the opening event of the 2011 program for the Florida Standardbred Breeders And Owners Association (FSBOA).

The Tom and Maggie Audley stable has served notice that Gold Star Glitter will be the one to the beat in the three-year-old filly pace division, as she scored impressively in 1:54.3 with Wally Hennessey in the bike.

The other three-year-old filly pace division went to Souren Hovsepian and Rod Lorenzo's Ruby Howard in 1:55.2 with Walter Ross Jr. in tow.

The Audley barn was back in the winner's circle after Gold Star Spike swept up to win his lifetime debut in 1:57.1 in the two-year-old colt and gelding pace division with Gaston Lareau aboard.

The state program's two-year-old pacing fillies also made their seasonal bow for 2011 with Diamond Amber awesome in a front end victory in 1:57.1 with Richie Simard in the driver's seat for trainer Brian Pelling, and owners Sid Korn, Ann Pelling-Wade, and P.G. Wiley.

And in the season's debut for the three-year-old colt and gelding pace division, Diamond Star did not disappoint as he defeated Stevie Rays Dream (Ray Vizzi) and the 2010 two year old champ Palm Beach Boy (Wally Hennessey) in 1:54.2. Diamond Star is trained by Jim McDonald for owner Brenda Komers of Aberdeen, North Carolina.

In addition to the non-stop fun, games, and giveaways which went along with free race programs and discounted food and beverage specials, there were also two exotic distance races which started and finished right in front of the fans. In the one mile and 5/16ths trot for a $7,000 purse, L M Canon was driven to victory by Gaston Lareau in 2:37.4 while the 11/16ths mile mares claiming pace was won by May Night in rein to Wally Hennessey in 1:18.4.

There's a Pick-4 carryover of $918 when racing resumes on Wednesday evening, July 20 and five non-wagering events will begin at 6:05 p.m. Eastern prior to the regular card.

(Pompano Park)