Greeted by a bustling large crowd and a temperature of 84 degrees under blue skies, the trotters and pacers returned to action on Saturday evening to kick off the 47th season of live harness racing action at the Isle Casino Racing Pompano Park
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Bruce Ranger served notice he intends to defend his driving championship as he reined in four winners on the 11-race card. His domination started in the first race of the night with as Ruby Howard (Mannart Howard-Amethyst) romped to a front end score in 2:00.2 in third round action of the Florida Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association (FSBOA) Sunshine State Stakes for two-year-old pacing fillies.
“I sort of have mixed feelings when she wins,” said co-owner Souren Hovspeian in the winner’s circle. “Of course I’m happy with Ruby Howard coming into her own for the fall campaign in the FSBOA stakes. We’re still sad though that we lost her dam Amethyst when she was foaling. Amethyst was a champion down here and a great mare in her own right. So we’ll have Ruby Howard and her older brother named Diamond Howard looking great in the Florida program this Fall through to the Super Night finals on December 11 to carry on the legacy of Amethyst,” Hovsepian added.
In the FSBOA three-year-old filly trot division’s third round action, Pocohontas Fame was flawless in a 1:59.4 score. The daughter of Famously-Native Pine competes for Amante Standardbreds of Delray Beach. She was the FSBOA champion at two last year and competes from the care of trainer Dan Hennessey. With Wally Hennessey in tow, Pocohontas Fame comfortably outstepped JP Spice (Tom Sells) and Prairie Treasure (Ray Vizzi).
McDonald Marking 30 Years At Pompano
In the FSBOA’s two-year-old colt pace division third round action, Diamond Star was again a handy winner for owner Brenda Komers of Aberdeen, NC. Wally Hennessey was in the bike for a dominant 1:58.2 score with the Six Of Diamonds-Roulette gelding over Alabama Howard (Bruce Ranger) and TL Six Shooter (Tom Lehmann).
“Diamond Star was really a made horse when I got him from Brad Komers and -[previous trainer] Dave Jannone at Vernon Downs,” said trainer Jim McDonald, who originally hails from St. John’s, Newfoundland. “I’m really happy to get him in my barn, that’s for sure. I’m starting my 30th season here at Pompano with 14 horses and after the Harrisburg Sale and a few more I’m expecting to be sent down to me, I’ll have over 20 in my barn. With some luck it could be my best year ever here in Florida,” McDonald added.
The South Florida schedule now settles into four cards per week each Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday with Tuesday cards to be added in December at The Winter Capital Of Harness Racing. A winners over $10,000 lifetime pace for a purse of $12,000 highlights the Monday evening, October 18 card with post time at 7:05 p.m.
(Pompano Park)