James MacDonald, reigning Driver of the Year and the first to reach the $1 million earnings mark in Canada this season, is set to make his Pompano Park debut this evening as part of a two-night driving challenge featuring some of the world's top reinsmen.
MacDonald will join a team of visiting drivers at Pompano including Yannick Gingras (captain), Dexter Dunn and Andrew McCarthy as they face off against the home team of Wally Hennessey (captain), David Miller, Peter Wrenn and Kevin Wallis.
"I’m really excited about this competition," MacDonald told Trot Insider. "It’s an incredible bunch of drivers and really an honour to be included. Even more importantly though, it’s a really great bunch of guys."
Making his first trip to the Sunshine State, MacDonald will open the eight-race competition with a couple of longshots while fellow P.E.I. native and Pompano rival Hennessey is listed on top morning line picks Holton and Mc Mach.
MacDonald's best bet in the challenge is 5-2 morning line favourite Chocouture in Wednesday's second race for trainer Tee Wine.
"Win, lose or draw it will be a great experience... But truthfully, I hope we smoke them," he said with a laugh.
The home team does have the statistical advantage in both wins and purse money earned but the visitors have the advantage in the “youth” department.
In reflecting on the competition, Hennessey said, "Yes, we have 175 years of combined experience and we have more wins and purse earnings, but we've had so much longer to do it. The visitors are all top notch horsemen and, to tell you the truth, I'm not so sure that the 'home field' advantage is any advantage at all.
"These guys go from track to track in those big stakes races and places that they rarely race and perform to the highest standards. All I can say is that it's going to be one great competitive experience for all of us."
Gingras agreed, saying, "This is new territory for us all and it will be competitive, safe racing. We're just happy to be in South Florida adding to the history of one great racetrack!"
The driving challenge will be comprised of Races 2, 3, 4 and 8 on Tuesday and Races 1, 2, 3 and 5 on Wednesday. First race post time is 7:20 p.m.
(With files from Pompano Park)