A whole lot more has just gone on the line for the opening weeks of March for the talented driving colony and for fan interest at Pompano Park
.
"We're announcing a cash contest for a three night drivers' challenge from March 14 through March 16," said John Yinger, the track's Racing Operations Director. "We've tried to devise it in such a way that the excitement starts this week since there's a big contest until March 5 for the final three slots to be earned into our drivers' challenge. For the three race nights starting on March 14 that we stage the challenge, we feel there's something for everyone. It will certainly showcase and reward the abilities of the top nine drivers from the 2010-11 Winter Meet here and we're increasing purses for the ten races of the challenge. The continuity of a three night competition is great for the fans and in the championship leg on March 16, we'll have a $5,000 guaranteed Pick-4 comprised of the last four races of the challenge.”
The top nine drivers in the challenge will be decided by wins at the current meet in South Florida through completion of the program this Saturday, March 5.
Already earning their way into the challenge are Bruce Ranger, Wally Hennessey, Anthony Napolitano, Dan Clements, Ricky Macomber and Mike Micallef. The contest to fill out the final three spots concludes with the final race on Saturday night, March 5. Still in the hunt for the last three berths into the challenge are George Napolitano, Jr., David Ingraham, Tom Sells, Joe Pavia, Jr., Jason Dillander, Chuck Connor, Jr. and Doug Brown.
On March 14 and 15, three races in the challenge will be contested on each night. On the March 16 program, the final four races of the drivers' challenge will be staged. Those final four races will comprise that program's Pick-4 with a $5,000 guaranteed pool in addition to that wager's usual reduced 15% takeout. For all three nights, increased purses will be offered on the drivers' challenge races. The top prize is $8,000 for the winning driver of the challenge, with $4,000 for second, $2,000 for third and $1,000 for fourth. For the drivers placing 5th through 9th in the challenge the cash prize is $500.
Here is a summary of the 2011 Drivers' Challenge at The Isle Casino Racing Pompano Park:
Who and Where: The top 9 drivers of the meet as of the final race on Saturday, March 5 at The Winter Capital of Harness Racing earn berths to a three night cash prize competition from March 14-16.
What and When: A 10 race challenge, comprised of three challenge races during each of the March 14 and 15 programs, and the final four challenge races on March 16. The March 16 challenge races will comprise that program's Pick-4 with a $5,000 guaranteed wagering pool in addition to the usual 15% reduced takeout.
Why: To showcase and reward the top nine drivers of the current meet. Fans can follow two segments of the challenge: the race for drivers to qualify for the challenge through March 5; and the three night competition from March 14-16. For owners and trainers, increased purses for the drivers' challenge races.
Cash Prizes: Winning driver, $8,000; 2nd $4,000; 3rd $2,000; 4th $1,000; all others, $500.
(Pompano Park)