The Isle Pompano Park's resident Hall Of Fame inductee, John Berry, has stepped forward with his predictions for the 2009 Florida Super Night on Decemeber 5
. Berry, an inductee last July into the harness sport's Communicator's Corner in the Hall Of Fame at Goshen, New York, thinks this will be the best championship card ever staged by the Florida Standardbred Breeders And Owners Association (FSBOA). And, his crystal ball revelations don't stop there.
"There are a pair fillies still in contention for the $100,000 bonus offered for those two-year-old Florida bred horses able to sweep all four of the Fall stakes here. It won't be easy but I think Black Diamond Girl in the filly pace division and Pocohontas Fame in the filly trot will both find a way to win, but it sure won't be easy. The cast of State bred horses we've seen here over the past sixteen weeks is the best group I can recall," Berry says.
"For Black Diamond Girl, she'll have her hands full with the likes of Cracker Cana and Isle Of View Too but her draw to post position two should be an advantage," Berry explains. "As for Pocohontas Fame, her on demand sweep of the field last week looks like it should set her up to cope with post nine this time," he says.
Total purses clock in at $330,000 for the FSBOA Breeders Stakes Championship Finals program. The two-year-old colt trot Breeders Stake final will be a non-wagering event at 6:30 p.m. before the regular Saturday night program at 7:05 p.m. The Isle Pompano Park also kicks off it's double header Saturday night cards on December 5 with a second eight race card at 9:45 p.m. A trackside deejay, barbecue, and trackside interactive games and giveaways will also become a regular part of the Saturday night festivities at The Isle Pompano Park. The race program is always free for on-track patrons at The Isle Pompano Park.
Five Straight For Yankee Manny
Owner Tony Tambolleo of Sterling, MA recently got a great gift for his 68th birthday. A trotter he acquired last spring, Yankee Manny, was suddenly cured of gaiting woes and found his stride. He's now reeled off a five-race win streak at The Isle Pompano Park.
The three-year-old Yankee Glide-Yankee Minuet gelding was at his closing best again on the Wednesday evening, December 2 card to keep his win streak alive and record a life's mark of 1:58.2. Richard Lauzon trains Yankee Manny and this score by Yankee Manny was part of a four-win performance by Bruce Ranger on the mid-week card in South Florida on a sultry 79 degree night.
Yankee Manny tracked the cover of CSI Whats My Name with Wally Hennessey for the final half to come from far back in the pack to get up in time again. Backbackbackitup with Tom Sells finished third in the $4,500 purse conditioned trot test.
Trainer Stephane Bardier, operating the Florida stable of top Canadian trainer Richard Moreau, recorded his first double of the meet. Winning starters sent out by Bardier on Wednesday evening included Paragon, a past winner of Woodbine's Cam Fella Series in 1:53.4 and former Rideau-Carleton competitor Dakota Noc in 1:54. Both won $4,000 purse conditioned tests with Bruce Ranger in the bike. Also recording his first training double of the meet was Rodney Grady. His winners were with three-year-old claiming pacer My Hearts Cry and with $4,000 claiming pacer Town Bullet.
Prior to the Florida Super Night, racing resumes on Friday evening, December 4 at The Winter Capital Of Harness Racing. The Friday evening card features $13,000 purses for the Open Handicap Trot and the Fillies and Mares Open Handicap Pace. Special Sweetheart, fresh from setting the three-year-old filly pace track record last week, has been ordered to the outside Post 9 in that top distaff event on Friday night.
(Pompano Park)