The intrigue and drama of the 2011 battle for North America's winningest driver will end on Saturday evening, December 31 at The Isle Casino Racing Pompano Park
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"We're just rounding up the last of the details for what was already going to be a huge New Year's Eve race card here and to have Dan Noble committing to be here to chase the drivers' dash title for the year should really add to the excitement level," says John Yinger, Racing Operations Director at The Winter Capital Of Harness Racing. "I saw where he mentioned it last weekend in the Cleveland Plain-Dealer newspaper and he's since confirmed it with me and our race office. We're hoping his duel with George Brennan will go right down to the wire and we're one of the few tracks that will be racing on New Year's Eve which should also bring us a lot of attention.
"But that's not all. Tim Tetrick and George Napolitano have also indicated they're likely to be here to drive in some races with us here on New Year's Eve too, so that could give us the driving champions of 2009, 2010, and 2011 all on the same program which would be incredible."
In addition to having Dan Noble in the drivers line-up on December 31 the pending plans include a huge fireworks show, the Miami Gourmet Food Trucks with a live deejay positioned trackside, and a possible $5,000 guaranteed Pick-4 wagering pool that night. The December 31 Open Handicap Pace might also include the appearance of Big Bad John in the field. The 2011 Little Brown Jug winner qualified last Saturday at Pompano in 1:55.4 and he's less than $12,000 away from reaching the $1 million lifetime earnings plateau. Big Bad John, owned by Edward Telle's Winchester Baye Acres of Ocala, FL, has been transferred from trainer Ron Potter's Ohio base into the care of leading Pompano trainer Dan Hennessey.
Going into Tuesday evening's action, Noble stood at 743 wins for 2011 compared to Brennan's 737.
Big Match-Up Expected Wednesday
One of the season's most anticipated match-ups is set for the Wednesday evening, December 14 program. Trotting mare Mymomsablizzard, already a 1:54.3 winner at the meet to within one-fifth of a second of a track record, will face Florida's top current male trotter, Keystone Thomas, in the mid-week feature event.
(Isle Pompano Park)
Congrats on a
Congrats on a pro-active/creative marketing move by Pompano. We have wave of talented young drivers, who possess good media skills, and are emjoying the attention. Use the stars for their benefit and good of the business. Hope Pompano reaps the reward on track and at off-track windows.