According to Bruce Ranger, the winningest driver in the 47-year history of The Isle Casino Racing Pompano Park, the 2010 success of top class trotter Andover America is a fitting tribute to the horse’s owner, Jerry Legault
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“This horse has had a lot of quirks, a lot of hills and valleys, a lot of ups and downs,” Ranger said after a dominant win in the $12,000 feature trot with the five-year-old Andover Hall-Armbro Array gelding on the Wednesday evening program at The Isle Casino-Racing Pompano Park. “He’s overcome a long list of problems that most horses couldn’t. He’s been able to make $120,000 this year in the top classes at Pompano and Tioga Downs only because of the patience of his owner,” Ranger said.
Starting from Post 7, Andover America was parked past the quarter in :28 by Tom Cango and driver Richie Simard. A half time rating of :58 had Andover America all set for the first over challenge of Baseball Express, in rein to Tom Sells, to the final turn in 1:26.4. In the stretch, Andover America was driving away for the 1:56 tally over a closing McCoy, partnered by Wally Hennessey, and the pocket-sitter Tom Cango held third.
Legault, originally from Amos, Que., now makes home in Davie, Florida and races under the stable name of McTrade Enterprises. He is the proprietor of a mining supply firm in Quebec and his prized trotter has won 13 of 27 starts this year from the care of trainer Stewart Nemiro of the Bruce Ranger Stable.
The Sunshine State Stakes of the Florida Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association (FSBOA) are set to go on the Friday and Saturday evening programs this weekend. The two-year-old champions will be decided on the October 29 card and the three-year-old finals will be staged on the October 30 program. Purses for the eight events are set at $10,000 each. Several FSBOA Fall Stakes remain over the next seven weeks leading up to the 2010 Florida Super Night in the second week of December.
Post time is 7:05 p.m. EST each Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday evening at The Winter Capital Of Harness Racing, with Tuesday programs added in from December through March. For holders of a free Isle One Card, added chances to win this weekend include a chair giveaway on Friday night and the Last Player Standing contest on Saturday evening.
(Pompano Park)