by Frank Salive, publicity director, Isle Pompano Park

Pompano Beach, FL — Even with the absence of a major stakes or added money race, trotter Keystone Thomas has accomplished a rare feat by racing exclusively in South Florida in 2011 and amassing earnings of over $100,000 this year.

Skip Smith photo

Keystone Thomas held off Jaavos Boy to surpass $100,000 in 2011 earnings.

Going into the $12,000 Open Handicap Trot on the Wednesday (Dec. 7) program, the 5-year-old Revenue S-Keystone Taboo gelding needed a win to reach into the six figure earnings plateau this year.

With his recent arch-rival Smokin Dabra scratched due to sickness, Bruce Ranger sent Keystone Thomas through splits of :27.4, :57 and 1:25.1 while putting away the first over bid of Joe Pavia, Jr.’s Pembrook Street leading up to the final clocking of 1:54.3.

It was the 30th start of 2011 for Keystone Thomas, and his record for the year is now at 13-4-4 for $100,836. His lifetime bankroll now stands at $215,259 for the Fred Monteleone Stable.

Because of a racing accident last April which kept him out of action until September, Bruce Ranger shared the driving duties on Keystone Thomas in 2011 with Walter Ross, Jr., Stephane Bardier and Doug Brown.

The earnings milestone for Keystone Thomas underscores an outstanding year with trotters for trainer Stewart Nemiro and the Bruce Ranger Stable. Through May, Andover America raced from the Ranger barn at Pompano before embarking on an outstanding campaign on the Mohawk and Woodbine circuit from the Ben Baillargeon outfit. Last March 23 at Pompano, Keystone Thomas defeated Andover America before his higher profile stablemate’s departure for the Toronto circuit.

The Nemiro-Ranger barn was also responsible for Florida stakes 2-year-old colt and gelding trot champion Matcan who earned more than $76,000 with nine wins from 10 starts this year.

Rare feat by Jason Dillander

In the Summer months he’s nicknamed ‘The Bad Boy’ at Hoosier Park and Indiana Downs, but Jason Dillander was extra good on the mid-week card in South Florida.

He accomplished the rare feat of winning four straight races on the card in the sixth through ninth races with Mymomsablizzard, CJ’s Rascal, Looney Dune and Browner Shuttle. The former Chicago circuit mainstay is in his second year of calling Pompano his winter base home.

Many happy returns, Keith Waples

On the eve of his 88th birthday, Keith Waples spent the evening at The Isle Casino Racing Pompano Park. Waples trained and drove at Pompano for several decades from his winter residence just a few miles from the track.

Born on Dec. 8, 1923 at Victoria Harbor, Ontario, the legendary horseman was inducted into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame in 1978 and also into the United States Harness Racing Hall of Fame.