It wasn't exactly a fairytale finish to the storyline of the return of top reinsman Bruce Ranger to the track, but it was mostly a happy occasion anyway as the curtain went up on the 2011-2012 campaign

in South Florida at The Isle Casino Racing Pompano Park.

In his first pari-mutuel start since a severely separated shoulder and multiple injuries suffered in a racing accident almost five months ago, Ranger appeared to be headed for victory in the third race of the September 21 program. He made all the right moves at the right times with trotter Sun Island, but that race favourite chose an inopportune moment to make a stretch break after surging to the lead, and Ranger was thus denied the chance to win in his first start back.

Just four races later, however, the tides would turn for the winningest driver in the track's 48-year history. In the $12,000 top trot, Ranger took Keystone Thomas directly to the lead. Following a furious stretch long duel with the pocket-sitter, Hesgotlegs, in rein to Jim McDonald, Keystone Thomas came out a head the best in 1:56.1. Good Luck Penny, with Tom Sells in tow, brushed in for third.

Ranger is readying to mark his 52nd birthday on Friday. Since 1998, he has easily topped $1 million in driving purse earnings every year before the accident in April. For 2011, his purse earnings in the bike stand at just over $525,000.

Keystone Thomas is a Revenue S-Yankee Taboo five-year-old gelding, trained by Stewart Nemiro of the Ranger Stable for Pompano Beach owner Fred Monteleone. Since the departure of Andover America for Mohawk last spring, Keystone Thomas has taken over as the top performer in the Ranger Stable with seven wins in 20 starts this year for over $56,000 earned.

Racing resumes on Saturday evening with the Sunshine State Stakes championships of the Florida Standardbred Breeders And Owners Association (FSBOA). For the meet's first Saturday night card in South Florida, a trackside party is planned with several food stands and a major fireworks show after the races.

Post time is 7:05 p.m. Eastern at The Winter Capital Of Harness Racing. On October 10, Monday live racing will be added to the current schedule of Wednesday and Saturday programs. Tuesday racing returns on November 22 to complete the four nights per week schedule through March of 2012. The complete schedule, replays, and free race night streaming is available in the 'racing' tab at www.theislepompanopark.com.

(Pompano Park)