A cast of nine accomplished female drivers will be on the track for a race on each gait on the 2012 Valentine's program on Tuesday, February 14 at Pompano Park
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In the Sweetheart Pace, scheduled as the fourth race on the program, Diane Long has drawn the assignment with 3-1 early favourite Thaacaretheeso Long, a resident of Summerfield, FL is a career winner of 144 races in the bike. In the Sweetheart Trot, scheduled as the 6th race on the program, Luanna Beeson will partner 3-1 morning line choice K M Sweet Dreams. Beeson, a Ft. Lauderdale resident, is seeking her first career driving win in the event.
By far the best known driver in the events is Kelly Case of Pompano Beach, as her 770 career driving wins is more than the rest of her eight rivals combined. She is also the only competitor with more than $1 million in career purse earnings in the drivers' seat. In addition to Case, Long, and Beeson, the cast includes Whitney Goodblood of Vernon, NY and Florida based drivers Laurie Poulin, Gro Former, Anne Schlichtig, Mary Birkhold, Miriam Toland. Purses for the 2012 Sweetheart Pace and Sweetheart Trot at Pompano have been increased from the usual $3,000 level to $5,500 and the two special dashes will accompany trackside promotions and games with a Valentine's theme hosted by trackside reporter Gigi Diaz.
In spite of a layoff of 28 days since she blasted to a life's mark of 1:50.3 on January 16, Best Around returned to work in razor sharp form to take down top prize in Monday’s edition of the Mares Open Handicap Pace at Pompano Park.
With Jason Dillander picking up the driving assignment, the six-year-old Cambest-Rondeau Hanover mare won an intense battle for the lead in :26.3, and the lined up the field of ten mares single file to the half in :55.2 In the backstretch, the first over move of C R Hope never got close to the lead trio to the final turn 1:24. At the final buzzer, Best Around held off Nillabomb's move from third in line for Wally Hennessey and the pocket sitting favourite Special Sweetheart in rein to George Napolitano, Jr. had to settle for third. Paul Holzman trains Best Around for owner Joel Benson of Ft. Lauderdale, FL.
Rick Plano was the leading driver on the Monday evening card as he brought home claiming pace mare Aries Angel and claiming trotter Damian Carlos N from his own stable, along with longshot conditioned trotter Conceivable Motion for owner-trainer Michael Perzow of Lake Worth, FL.
(Pompano Park)