In spite of suffering the worst injuries of his career less than six months ago, Bruce Ranger has wasted no time returning to the top of the heap in the driving colony through the first six programs of the new meet at Pompano Park
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The 52-year-old reinsman was at his crafty best in converting a pocket trip to victory in the $12,000 purse top trot on the Wednesday, October 5 program in South Florida. Ranger situated Keystone Thomas into the pocket early and came out in the stretch to stop the clock in 1:57.1. Laying down all of the fractions and holding the show position was Hesgotlegs in rein to Wally Hennessey. Big Baller, partnered by Tim Maier, turned in a strong two move effort to take down the runner-up position. Keystone Thomas, a five-year-old Revenue S-Yankee Taboo gelding, is trained by Stewart Nemiro from Ranger's stable for Pompano Beach owner Fred Monteleone.
Ranger, the all-time leading driver in track history, has completely bounced back from a severely separated shoulder and multiple injuries suffered in a racing accident at Pompano on April 12. He's winning at a 25 per cent clip in the first 40 drives he's had in the new meet.
One of the more interesting winners on the mid-week card in South Florida was trotter Sun Island.
After an under wraps win on September 28, trainer Mario Dessereault had the CR Excalibur-Sunrise Isle gelding out for a qualifier last Saturday with trotting hopples added for the first time. Benefitting from a second over trip on the back of race favourite Tobell, Sun Island was right back to win again in 1:57.1 on the October 5 program. Gene Kirsch of Coconut Creek, Florida holds the ownership papers on the promising four-year-old with career earnings of almost $135,000. Sun Island was also part of a three win performance by Mike Micallef to lead all drivers on the mid-week card in South Florida. Mario Dessereault would later send out a second trotting winner on the card with Budlightning.
In addition to Wednesday and Saturday evening programs, Monday racing returns on October 10. Tuesday racing returns on November 22 when the four nights per week schedule takes effect through March of 2012 at The Winter Capital Of Harness Racing. The full season schedule, free race night streaming and replays are available in the racing tab at theislepompanopark.com.
(Pompano Park)