The second week of January produced a common sight after trotting races on January 10 and January 11 at The Isle Casino Racing Pompano Park: horseman Tim Maier posing with entrants from his stable in the winner's circle

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Maier's run of success continued on the Wednesday evening card. Big Baller took advantage of class relief into a $5,400 purse conditioned event and responded to being put on the lead early to score in 1:57.3 over the pocket-sitting Sonny McDreamee, in rein to Dan Clements, and Karpathos, partnered by Daniel Harvey. The Panama Hanover-Charming Spirit gelding compiled nine wins in 32 starts for Maier last year, which included earning his 1:56.1 life's mark since arriving at Pompano. Big Baller increases his life's earnings to almost $110,000 with this win for Desomer Stables of Wilton, California.

Maier, 58, hails from Willard, Ohio and campaigned at Cal-Expo before locating to Pompano Beach via Running Aces in Minnesota last fall. In the bike, Maier recently surpassed $10 million in career earnings from over 2,200 wins and 2012 could see him continue a streak of his top years training, which began in 2009 and continued through 2011.

Maier was also a winner on the Tuesday card with Rompaway Brandon. The Yankee Ryder-Rompaway Sue gelding, now six years old, easily handled a $4,000 purse conditioned event and Rompaway Brandon is coming off a career-best year also orchestrated by Maier, in which he won eight of 34 starts and captured a life's mark of 1:56 at Running Aces in Minnesota.

Jaavos Boy Wires Top Trot Rivals

The Wednesday evening program saw trotters in action on more than half of the card on another ideal warm January evening, including the $12,000 purse weekly Open Handicap event.

Jaavos Boy made his recent front end tactics work this time out for driver David Ingraham as they disposed of a third quarter challenge by Grand Victory, in rein to Wally Hennessey, to the final turn in 1:25.4. In the stretch, Jaavos Boy also turned back the challenge of the pocket-sitting favourite, Keystone Thomas, in rein to Bruce Ranger, with the final time showing 1:54.4. Lord Darby, with Anthony Napolitano, closed next best for third.

Barry Probber conditions Jaavos Boy for the Probber Morse Stable of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. The six-year-old S Js Photo-Hayworth Hanover gelding made over $103,000 last year and sports a lifetime bankroll of $237,483.

Racing resumes on Saturday evening, January 14 with the $12,000 Open Handicap Pace accompanied by a trackside party featuring the Miami Gourment Food Trucks and the miniature horse display.

(Pompano Park)