Though it was a long way from the Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Ann Larsen and Gro Formia made sure their home country of Norway had lots to be proud of on the Saturday evening, February 20 program at the Isle Casino Racing Pompano Park
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They went out and swept both divisions of the Mildred Williams International Womens' Driving Series event.
"My horse went a great trip, I saw early that I was likely going to be outside the whole way so I didn't panic," said former Series champion Ann Larsen after a 1:56.3 score with claiming pace mare Hoosier GB Diamond. "I have to give most of the credit to the trainer, Ryan Bellamy, he said this mare is really good right now and he was absolutely right."
The race featured a nose-to-nose duel for much of the final half as Indianridge Sophia with Jamie Rucker in tow took the lead early and held it into the stretch. Hoosier GB Diamond was out for the route and edged up onto level terms when they straightened out for the wire and gradually edged by. Tara Bow, with Colonial Downs ship-in Stacey McLenaghan in tow, brushed up for third.
The win for Larsen is part of a whirlwind weekend. She resides in Ontario with trainer Per Henriksen near Peterborough.
"I flew to Florida for just this one driver because I'm committed to the Series but I'll only have slightly more than a day here," she said. "I'm scheduled to drive in the 14th race on Sunday evening at Rideau Carleton Raceway and fortunately I have a direct flight on Sunday to Ottawa," Larsen added.
The second race of the Mildred Williams Series Florida stop in 2010 was a front end effort in 1:59.2 by trotter Clark Hanover, trained by Noreen Paulin for Norm Desserault. The margin was a scant nose over Southern Beauty with Brooke Nickells in the bike. Southern Beauty appeared to be well on the way to sailing by for the win but in mid-stretch had to be gathered up when bearing out, and the lost momentum by Southern Beauty provided just enough cushion for Clark Hanover to hang on. Cast British, in rein to Jamie Rucker, was safely back in third.
"Well now that's what you call Norwegian Power'" said Clark Hanover's winning driver Gro Formia. The 34-year-old trainer and driver, just like Ann Larsen, is originally from Norway. Formia is now entrenched on this continent seasonally in Florida and Ontario. "Clark Hanover I remembered from seeing a couple years ago at Mohawk," Formia said. "He was recently bought privately by Norm Desserault and he's got him sound enough to compete well with the claimers here," she adds. "I'm going to compete in the Series as much as possible this year and hopefully be in position this Fall to challenge for the overall title."
Following this week's events at Monticello and in Florida, Ann Larsen said the Series now has a scheduling break of over two months before resuming in May at Yonkers Raceway.
Roosevelt Legends Prove Popular
In the intermission between the eight race cards at the Isle on Saturday night a gathering of almost 30 people made their way into the winner's circle and trackside area for the Roosevelt Raceway Reunion group photograph. Training and driving legends from the now defunct track were in the group and the trackside tarmac was jammed with well wishers and autograph seekers alike.
"Roosevelt Raceway was a really important stepping stone in my life and career," Hall Of Fame driver Mike LaChance stated in a live trackside TV interview. "It was a place where all the great horseman raced and I learned so much there which helped me eventually get into the Meadowlands driving colony in the 1980's," he added.
"It was a really great place and we'll always have a special place for it in our hearts and memories," said trainer-driver Lucien Fontaine. "Liberty Bell, Brandywine, and Garden State are now gone too but you don't see reunion weekends for those tracks like you do for Roosevelt," he added.
The 2010 Roosevelt Raceway Reunion weekend in Florida will culminate with a sold out Sunday evening dinner function in Fort Lauderdale.
Racing resumes on Monday, February 22 at 7:05 EST at The Winter Capital Of Harness Racing. Scheduled for a pre-race TV interview appearance at 6:35 p.m. is trainer Casie Coleman.
(Isle Pompano Park)