Don Cromer took a page out of baseball's spring training manual in Florida when the long serving horseman at the Isle Casino Racing Pompano Park batted 1.000 with his starters on the mid-week program
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The fine run of fortune for Cromer, originally from Troy, Ohio, began in a claiming pace with his mare Splenda. The seven-year-old Tough Sir-BJs Can veteran was given a textbook pocket trip by Dan Clements to score an upset ($16.20) over her favoured male rival Stylish Glory, with Wally Hennessey in tow, in 1:55. It was the 18th career win for Splenda, a stable favourite of Cromer's that he claimed back just over a month ago from trainer Bill Griffin. Rare Glory, with Fern Paquet Jr. in the bike, followed in for third.
The very next race Cromer suited up to drive himself and the result was the same, a pocket trip victory. This time he sat second throughout as Backbackbackitup, with Dan Clements, supplied all of the top end speed to the head of the stretch. When Cromer tipped out Saskia Lavictoire she was all business to score handily in 1:58.1. It was a life's mark for the Ontario bred four-year-old Malabar Maple-Sarah Lavictoire mare. Bluff Springs, in rein to Gaetan Lamy, brushed up for second while Backbackbackitup stayed for third.
The mid-week card at the Isle also featured another superb performance by veteran driver David Ingraham. His win total for the 2009-2010 meet now stands at 85 for purse earnings of over $550,000 after his Wednesday evening triple. The winners reined in by Ingraham included claiming pacer Tough Cassidy, who swept the field to score in 1:54.4, along with conditioned trotters Earlivic and Montanajamesbond.
Yonkers vs. Pompano Challenge Set
The Friday evening, March 26 program in South Florida will feature a two-race competition in the Yonkers-Pompano Amateur Drivers Showdown.
Competing for Yonkers are Anthony Verruso, Joe Faraldo, Stephen Oldford, and Simeon Hudson. For the home team, taking to the bike are Dein Spriggs, Daniel Harvey, Gro Formia, Joe Pennacchio, Jan Repko, Jamie Marra, and Leon Cable.
The Yonkers vs. Pompano Amateur Drivers Showdown will be contested in the first and third races on Friday night, with post time at 7:05 p.m. at The Winter Capital Of Harness Racing.
(Pompano Park)