'Vavoom' Lowers Pompano Trotting Record

For the second time in less than 96 hours, a track record has fallen by the wayside at Pompano Park

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On the Wednesday, February 23 program, Southwind Vavoom stopped the clock in 1:52.4, easily eclisping the track trotting standard of 1:53.2 set four years ago by Tweedle Dum. With 28-year-old Canadian driver Simon Allard subbing in the bike for co-owner and trainer Lormer McClure, the five-year-old Self Possessed-Via Agra Works gelding made his presence felt quickly in :27.4 in a first quarter duel with Lord Burghley and driver Wally Hennessey. Southwind Vavoom would seize the lead for good in the second quarter to a well rated half in :57.1 with an outstanding back half of :55.3 in reserve to win going away over Lord Burghley and Andover America, in rein to Bruce Ranger.

It was the third straight win at Pompano and easily bested the life's mark of 1:54.1 Southwind Vavoom had taken at Woodbine last year. John McClure of Georgetown, Ont. also holds an ownership share of the career winner of just over $130,000.

"It was quite incredible to have my first drive here result in a track record," driver Simon Allard beamed in the winner's circle in his post race live TV interview. "I knew a lot about this horse since I'd raced against him, and been beaten by him, several times in Ontario last year. It's also a nice surprise there are so many French Canadian people here like me. I'm not really one for nicknames but I don't mind a bit that they're calling me the 'French Phenom' here," he said jokingly.

"A lot of things came together for this track record, and it's really special since it's my first year in Florida and my parents happen to be visiting right now," co-owner and trainer Lormer McClure of Orangeville, Ont. said. "For starters we caught a really nice warm night. It took me a while to get 'Vavoom' acclimatized when we got here but the way he came the back half so handy tonight was really special. Last year he only made 13 starts so hopefully this is the start of his best career year," McClure added.

The deal for visiting Ontario driver Simon Allard to steer Southwind Vavoom in place of co-owner and trainer Lormer McClure for the track performance was worked out Wednesday afternoon.

"The discussion about it wasn't all that serious at first, but I think I drove a good deal with Simon's brother, Rene Allard," Lormer McClure added. "Rene runs a big stable of over 50 horses in Ontario. He and Simon will be back at Woodbine by Thursday night. So we worked it out that in return for Simon driving Southwind Vavoom in Florida this time, Rene will give my son Bob three drives at Flamboro and Hanover this year back in Ontario. It's out there in the future of course but I hope in a few months we can say it was a win-win situation," McClure added.

The fastest trotting mile in the 47-year history of harness racing in South Florida followed by just four days the track's all time pacing record of 1:48.4 from last Saturday night by Delivered From Zin. The celebrated pacer will get a chance to better that mark in a $20,000 purse Invitational, which has been arranged for him to highlight the Saturday, February 26 program. Post time is 7:05 p.m. (EST).

(Pompano Park)