by John Berry, for Pompano Park

Pompano Beach, FL — Pompano Park has added a second Pick-4 wager beginning with the Sunday (April 17) program and continuing throughout the remainder of the season.

The added Pick-4 wagering option will encompass races two through five and compliments the already existing Pick-4 which covers races six through nine.

The track also has a Pentafecta (fourth) on each program to go along with the Super Hi-5 finale.

The new Pick-4 addition will also feature a low 12 percent takeout, making it one of the most attractive wagering options in pari-mutuel racing.

Also on Sunday’s 11-race extravaganza, an Open Handicap Pace and the return of the C.K.G. Billings amateur competition will highlight the program.

The $775,000 winner Dedi’s Dragon will be in action in the Open Handicap Pace against a strong competitive field including Alexa’s Jackpot, Energy Shakes, St Lads Lotto, Prairie Jaguar and Northern Companion.

Ricky Macomber Jr. is expected to be back in the sulky for trainer Paul Holzman after a strong third place finish against the highly vaunted Panocchio last week. This 6-year-old is the 8-5 morning line favorite. Alexa’s Jackpot is 5-2 on the early line off a strong second place finish to Steelhead Hanover last week. The Marty Fine trainee will have John MacDonald in the bike.

The Billings competition, named in honor of the great sportsman Cornelius Kingsley Garrison Billings, owner of Lou Dillon, the first 2:00 trotter in harness racing history, features a rare pacing event, kicking off the Early Daily Double and Pick-5, to go along with the traditional trot, which will be contested in the Pentafecta fourth race.

Pompano Park now has a three-day-per-week schedule — Sunday, Monday and Tuesday — throughout the rest of April with Sunday and Tuesday on the calendar throughout May. Post time is 7:30 p.m.