Though the usual Florida sunshine was hidden by thick clouds on Thursday (May 14), the mood at Pompano Park was more than sunny as the track hosted 13 qualifying races.
Horsemen lauded the efforts the track crew, as well as the efforts of The Florida Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association, the Florida Amateur Driving Club, and racing secretary Joe Zambito in putting together the program that went "without a hitch," according to Hall of Fame driver Wally Hennessey.
"Yes," echoed Hennessey, "all of the races went off 'without a hitch,' and all of us horsemen were very thankful that everyone put in a huge effort to put everything together and make this happen."
Hennessey drove four winners on the qualifying card, including wins with the impressive Mike Deters trainee Prairie Panther in 1:55.4 and the Jim McDonald sophomoree Ideal Perception in 1:56.3.
Hennessey had very high praise for this sophomore son of American Ideal, who won four of 11 starts and $56,588 last season to go along with a 1:51.3 mark at The Meadowlands.
"I think he's got a real chance to be very prominent this season ... easy to handle with a very high turn of speed. It was extremely windy today and nothing bothered this horse. I never had to ask him for anything. I think he going to be a very good one!"
Other prominent trainers and drivers who participated on the card were Mickey McNichol, Rick Plano — who drove a pair of winners, Gaston Lareau, Fern Paquet Jr. — who had a trio of wins, Frank Petrelli — who had a pair of wins, Dave Ingraham, Peter Blood, Jim Meittinis and Mike Micallef.
Micallef will be on this way to race at Pompano Park's "sister track," Scioto Downs, in a few days and appreciated the opportunity to get his horses tighter as that Ohio oval readies for a May 22 pari-mutuel opening.
"This was a blessing for all of us horsemen to get our horses ready with what we hope will be a 'virus' free summer. Hats off to all that made this happen!"
Pompano Park expects to be in action for their regular season as the "Winter Capital of Harness Racing" in early November.
(Pompano Park)
Scioto Downs is hosting 16
Scioto Downs is hosting 16 qualifiers tomorrow, each with a full 9 horse field, and 6 more qualifiers are being held at Goshen Historic Track in NY. The most notable horse qualifying this weekend (at Goshen) is likely the 4yo Hurrikane Emperor, who's staked to everything and probably would be racing in The Confederation Cup on Sunday night, had it not been postponed.