Jim McDonald surged to the lead by sending out a pair of winners on the Wednesday evening, June 13 program
, but the summer meet contest for top trainer will be tight right down to the finish on July 28 at The Isle Casino Racing Pompano Park.
McDonald harnessed up claiming mare pacer SOS Rivertrail and conditioned race trotter Mr Taurus for victories on June 13 at The Winter Capital Of Harness Racing to improve his totals to 14 winners from 52 starters and over $45,000 in purse earnings for the meet, which began on May 1.
The interest level in the trainers' race will heighten next week when the state-bred program begins on June 20 for the Florida Standardbred Breeders And Owners Association as all four divisions for three-year-old colts and fillies are scheduled to begin. The Sunshine State Stakes will be carded almost every program at Pompano for the duration of the meet, and McDonald's lead atop the trainers' list for wins and earnings will most certainly come under pressure from the Kim Sears and Tom Audley operations.
In the weekly top trot in South Florida for an $8,500 purse in the Isle Mile Open Handicap, Bruce Ranger showcased his skills in guiding home race favourite My Revenuer in 1:58.4.
Ranger sat his charge in fourth spot in the early stages and unleashed a well rated first over attack in the final half. Tracking cover intently all the way was L M Canon and driver Richie Simard to come up just a head short of My Revenuer at the finish. Closing widest of all for third was En Controle in rein to Daniel Harvey.
Tom Petri of Homestead, Florida is the owner and trainer of My Revenuer. The four-year-old gelding by Revenue S from Madam Hanover is in the midst of a career-best year with seven wins from 20 starts for almost $29,000 banked thus far in 2012.
Petri also sent out three-year-old Hanna Canna Win, a Cams Eclipse daughter out of Social Status, to defeat maiden filly and mare pacing rivals with Tom Sells in the bike.
(With files from Pompano Park)