The Horse And Groom Of The Month Award presented during the Tuesday evening program at Pompano Park sure took an interesting twist when groom Linda Lidstrom disclosed in a live trackside TV interview how she landed a job
in North America.
"I had been working for my sister's stable in my home country of Sweden where we only have trotters," Lidstrom explained when receiving the monthly award from the Florida chapter of The United States Harness Writers Association (USHWA). "I just decided to try my luck on a Google search to find out more about racing over here and perhaps the names of some of the trainers. Looking back, I was fortunate that I found Joe Pavia, Jr. had a website so I sent some emails and Joe wrote me back. I only started to work with Joe's stable on November 1st so I only saw a little bit of his base at Pocono Downs, and I'm really enjoying it here at the Pompano winter base. I'm usually here by 5:30 or so in the morning and back at night often for racing but it's really pleasant to work without the challenge of the biting cold weather."
Also saluted in the monthly award was Pembrook Street. The six-year-old Duke Of York-Shipps Cruise gelding won three times at Pompano in December and turned in the fastest trotting mile of the meet to date with his December 21 spin in 1:53.2. Ownership of the Pavia stable member is shared by Peter and Wai Shank of Cazenovia, NY along with BJR Stables of Boca Raton, FL. Lidstrom explains the trotter is now on a short turnout and should be ready for action again shortly.
"This is really great to get this award on my 23rd birthday, it's a topic I'm sure the boss and my co-workers will take up with me around the barn tomorrow," Lidstrom joked. "It's also been interesting to groom a pacer for the first time in my life. I've also got to get the boss to update his website since Pembrook Street wasn't even on the list of the 30 or so horses last posted in the stable roster section. I hope this wonderful award will now get this fine horse I groom at least a mention."
The Tuesday evening Pick-4 at Pompano also carried added incentive because of a $6,639 carryover and guaranteed pool of $12,500, up from the $5,000 usual guaranteed weeknight pool in the United States Trotting Association's Strategic Wagering Program. With just a single winning favorite in the Pick-4 the return was $3,242.
(Pompano Park)