Bruce Ranger will be out of action for the Wednesday and Saturday evening programs (April 13 and 16) at Pompano Park because of a separated shoulder suffered in a racing mishap on Tuesday, April 12
.
Ranger was driving pacing mare Stylish Soiree N in the fifth race of the evening when she stumbled and fell at the start, sending Ranger to the track. To his credit, he was able to keep the mare under control and return her to the paddock without further incident to the field in the race, which was won by Glam Cam.
Ranger admitted himself to hospital after the accident and had to be sedated for doctors to repair the shoulder separation. Ranger will also be undergoing a follow-up assessment to determine whether there was any damage beyond that injury. In spite of having his arm in a sling, Ranger was at his barn on Wednesday morning on the Pompano backstretch attending with his assistant trainer Stewart Nemiro.
Replacement drivers will be announced this evening and Saturday night with Ranger out of action. He was scheduled for bike duty in all 11 races tonight. Since there is a dark week coming up from April 17-24, Ranger will be able to use that pause in the Pompano schedule for a further assessment on how long he'll be out of the line-up.
The 51-year-old horseman is the leading driver of the current meet with 191 wins for almost $1 million in purses. Ranger recorded his 8,000th lifetime winning drive earlier this meet, and he is also the leading driver in the 47-year history of the South Florida raceway.
Glam Cam: Hennessey's New Stable Standout?
After a life's mark victory of 1:53.2 earned by Glam Cam in a $6,000 purse conditioned test on Tuesday evening at Pompano Park, trainer Dan Hennessey was happy to comment on the five year old Camotion-CR Charisma mare's future potential.
"It was kind of a fortunate situation that brought the mare to my stable just three starts ago in the first place" said Hennessey. "Jim McDonald had too many horses in his barn so I took her on when Rod Allen decided to bring her back for racing this year. In this trip tonight she was perfectly handy and I'm really liking what I'm seeing so far in three starts with her.”
Dan's brother Wally was in the bike to execute a perfect pocket trip score over the pace-setter JM Dancing Star in rein to Chuck Connor, Jr. Rumrunner Bluechip with Tom Sells in the bike was well back in third.
"In the past week Arthur Mergenhagen (of Williston, FL) made a deal with Rod Allen and bought Glam Cam privately," Hennessey added. "She's got some work to do but she could be develop into a top class mare. Because she was small, she didn't even race until she was four years old. Tonight, I changed her from a blind bridle to an open bridle. She's got us thinking there's more ability there but we'll take it slowly from here."
(Pompano Park)