It’s been less than a year since the backstretch horsepeople of Pompano Park stepped up in a big way with cash and donations for the Ohio victims of the Lebanon Raceway fire. Now, a cause closer to home in South Florida has become a rallying point for their generosity once again
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“As soon as I spoke about it in a live trackside TV interview I was amazed to see a couple of patrons run down from the betting windows wanting to donate to Jana’s cause,” said organizer Roger Goldstein. “The story of Jana Hugon really hits home because it could be any one of us. The first donations from the Pompano backstretch came from the Michile and Rod Lorenzo barn along with (trainer) Jim McDonald and his help. The snowball has started to roll like it always does with horsepeople and a long list of people have now offered contributions.”
There’s an urgent push on to reach a $50,000 target goal for the local woman. She has suffered from an extremely rare degenerative brain disorder since the age of three and she is now confined to a wheelchair. Funds raised will be used for her to undergo a newly discovered treatment even though a full cure for the degenerative brain tissue affliction has not yet been found.
“Jana is one of the bravest, most courageous and good-hearted persons you could ever hope to meet,” Goldstein said. “In the mornings I jog horses for the Lorenzo stable and clean stalls. In the afternoon and evenings I work at a Toyota dealership and I’m happy to be taking calls about it wherever I go. When news of Jana’s story got out, the Brazilian people in South Florida organized a walk for her coming up on December 5. Even though I don’t speak Portuguese, I’m going and I guess I’ll just smile a lot and shake hands because of their goodwill and generosity. We’re also very thankful to 'The Isle' for giving us the air time to explain Jana’s situation and to kick off her fundraiser.”
For a full backgrounder on Jana Hugon, a website has been started at www.hopeforjana.com. Roger Goldstein can be contacted at 954-242-2745.
When Famous Hall crossed the wire a handy winner in the November 22 Florida Sale Stakes at Pompano Park you could hear the sigh of relief go up trackside from his connections.
“For him to come back and win and prove he’s completely healthy again, that’s a huge weight lifted,” said Christine Garrity of Amante Stables, which owns Famous Hall, a two-year-old colt by Famously--Hall Of Stars. “He’s been a favourite of our in the barn since he was born. In fact he and (runner-up) Lugar, bred by Mark Friedman, were raised at the same place. They looked so much alike as yearlings that we had to put different colour halters on them to tell them apart. They were best buddies back then but now they have to race against each other.”
In the $20,700 event in the Florida Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association (FSBOA) Fall Series, Famous Hall was in command all the way for driver Wally Hennessey and set leisurely fractions of :31.1, 1:03.1, and 1:35. With lots in reserve he kicked home in :29.2 for the 2:04.2 final verdict as Lugar, in rein to Doug Brown, could not make a dent in the margin held safe by Famous Hall. Famous Dude, with Mel Turcotte in tow, followed in for third. This event was one week after Lugar defeated Famous Hall in the $32,800 Florida Stallion Stakes in 1:58.3.
“I have to give all the credit to Famous Hall’s trainer, Marc Aubin, to get him over that sickness,” owner and breeder Tony Amante explained. “After he set that 1:57.4 track record in the Sunshine State Stake at the end of October, that bout of sickness gave us quite a scare. Now, it’s game on again for the December 11 Super Final Night, which we’re really looking forward to.”
The Florida Sale Stake for two year old filly trotters will turn to the gate at 6:45 p.m. on Wednesday evening, November 24 in a non-wagering presentation. The 10-race mid-week card will follow at 7:05 p.m. EST.
(Pompano)