Harness driver Anthony Napolitano blew away perennial driving champion Bruce Ranger on closing night of the Isle Pompano Park meet Saturday scoring five winners on the ten race program

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After the tenth and final race of the evening, Napolitano closed out the season with 236 wins to Ranger’s 226 victories. Napolitano’s Universal Driving Rating is at an impressive .360 as he now heads back north to Pocono Downs for the summer season.

It was just seven year ago that the 27-year-old Coconut Creek resident was an amateur driver, learning the ropes from his father, Joe, brother George, Jr. and grandfather, George, Sr.

“I’m just thrilled at winning my first driving title,” Napolitano said. I don’t think it has really sunk in yet. But I am happy that it’s me. I have learned a lot over the years and have picked up a lot of good accounts that supported me with good horses to drive and that is the key.

“I knew I had to fly back from Pocono Downs the last two weeks to keep my lead going,” Napolitano added. “If not I knew that Bruce Ranger is such a good driver he would have caught me and I really wanted to win this title. I don’t think I will have another chance at winning the driving title here because I will be at Pocono Downs until early November.”

The training title was captured by the Tom Harmer Stable with 50 wins to Joe Pavia, Jr. Stable with 47 wins. Both the leading driver and trainer awards will be presented next season.

The first four of Napolitano’s wins consecutive as he started off the night winning the third race pace with Hero ($5.60) in 1:52.3. He then won the fourth race pace with Estellante ($4.20) in 1:56.2. Estellante broke stride at the start of the race and rebounded to sweep four-wide at the three-quarters and then pull away from the field. In the fifth race trot he won with Baker Ablaze ($3.40) in 1:59.4. In the sixth race he won with Starfleets Tribute ($7.60) in 1:53.3 and captured the eighth race pace with Here For The Beer ($3.60) in 1:55.2.

The Isle Pompano Park will now remain open for simulcasting daily throughout the summer months. The backstretch will reopen for horsemen on August 21 and the first day of qualifying races will be Friday, September 4. There will be Florida Sunshine State Stakes for two and three-year-olds on Saturday, September 5 and 12 with the start of the pari-mutuel meet on Saturday, September 19.

(Pompano Park)