A Hollywood actress and prominent pro hockey player with close ties to harness racing turned out for the Saturday program at Pompano Park. Both reported they were cashing tickets and having a great time in the Florida warmth during their stay.
"My grandfather, Ron MacArthur, is the trainer of the first race winner Waldy Jimmy," said Dion Phaneuf, a hard hitting defenseman and captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs. "We talk on the phone several times a week about hockey and how his horses are doing here at Pompano. I wish the situation was different that the Maple Leafs were in the playoffs, but next year with the rebuilding we've done I think we certainly will be.
"Next week I'm headed to France for two weeks of training before going to Slovakia to play for Canada in the World Championships," added Phaneuf. "In the off-season I'll be in Prince Edward Island where we really love to be."
"Dion and I were both born in Alberta (Canada) and we've been dating for several years," stated actress Elisha Cuthbert in a live trackside TV interview. "I really enjoy going to the NHL games to watch him and this visit to Florida to see harness racing again is just awesome. The fact that the horse owned and trained by Dion's grandparents is just the icing on the cake for this Florida vacation."
Cuthbert also gave an update on her Hollywood career to the large crowd lining the trackside tarmac and up against the winner's circle.
"Recently, I was in a new sitcom on ABC called Happy Endings and it got pretty good reviews," said the diminutive actress. "I've been in the business for about 17 years. We're done shooting that show for the season now. I commute to Hollywood from home in Montreal and I'm looking forward to some vacation time near Charlottetown too. I'd seen harness racing in my home province of Alberta and at other tracks in Canada too.
"Here at Pompano tonight, Dion and I got a ride in the starting gate car for a race and that was just awesome to see the horses at full speed so close up. It's an experience I'll never forget. We've been going back and forth between the track, restaurants, bars and casino and having a great, great time," she added.
Phaneuf also disclosed he often gets hockey advice from his grandfather, Ron MacArthur, but this night at Pompano he went against his granddad's advisory and went to the betting windows anyway. He also was asked about a prediction for the Stanley Cup playoffs.
"I can't see a real big favourite for the Stanley Cup this year but overall the Vancouver Canucks look best to me," offered Phaneuf. "Before the races, my grandfather told me he wasn't so sure that his horse Waldy Jimmy was a good bet tonight because he was moving up a class. I went and bet on him anyway and I was glad I did. He got a perfect drive from Wally Hennessey. I won $5 for every $2 win ticket I bought. So I'll remind my grandfather of that next hockey season when he tells me I didn't go into the corners hard enough against somebody," he joked.
There will be no live racing from April 17-24 at The Isle Casino Racing Pompano Park. The four nights per week schedule resumes on April 25.
(Pompano Park)