by Frank Salive, publicity director, Isle Pompano Park

Pompano Beach, FL — It turned out to be a happy reunion for well known 55-year-old horseman Rod Allen with pacing mare Glam Cam on the Tuesday evening (May 10) program at The Isle Casino Racing Pompano Park.

The longtime resident of Ocala, Fla., developed 5-year-old pacing mare Glam Cam before a private sale in March to Arthur Mergenhagen of Williston, Fla. Now racing from the Dan Hennessey barn in an $8,000 conditioned test for pacing mares, Allen made all the right moves in the final half as he teamed the Camotion-CR Charisma mare home in 1:53.2 to equal her life’s mark. The mare was bred by Carl and Rod Allen Stable of Ocala.

Rod has driven in fewer than 100 races every year since 2003. This was the first driving win in 2011 for the career winner of almost $11 million in the bike who is perhaps best known as the regular driving pilot of champion trotters Royal Troubador and CR Kay Suzie.

Florida’s equine wildfire truly on fire

Although the season has already started for wildfires in the Florida Everglades to the west of The Isle Casino Racing Pompano Park, there’s been an equine “wildfire” on the racetrack that has been much more pleasing to the eye.

Lap Time Photo — Skip Smith

Wildfire (#2, Dan Clements) was a head the best over Ultimate Control (#4, Wally Hennessey) and Judith (#3, Richard Simard).

The 4-year-old trotting mare Wildfire has made the first two legs of the new Appraisal Trotting Series her personal showcase. She lowered her lifetime mark for a second straight week on the Tuesday program.

Dan Clements was in the bike to execute the thrilling come from behind victory. Ultimate Control, in rein to Wally Hennessey, was again designated to cut the mile and posted lively fractions of :28, :57.4, and 1:27.1 while holding off the first over challenge of Rebel Windsong in rein to Martin Morel.

Wildfire sat well back in the pack and swept up three wide in the final turn and was able to haul down Ultimate Control and pocket sitting Judith, in rein to Richard Simard, when the wire arrived in 1:57.2.

Wildfire, by Famously-Giant Wonder, is trained by Joe Kroll for owner-breeder Robert Reichard of Winter Park, Fla. She’s enjoying a career best year with seven wins in 16 trips to the gate in 2011.

In the other $6,000 second leg division of the Appraisal Trotting Series a major upset occured as 1-5 favorite Conceivable Motion, in rein to Tom Sells, unexpectedly tired in the stretch after controlling the race to the three-quarter pole in 1:28.3. Getting by in the stretch were 8-1 offering Lugar, with Richard Simard in the bike, and 51-1 longshot Prairie Treasure, partnered by Ray Vizzi.

Lugar was a two-time winner last year in the Florida Breeders Fall Series. The 3-year-old gelding by Famously-Chili Vanilli is trained by Mark Friedman for his Polo Stables of Boca Raton, Fla.

The championship final of The Appraisal Series will be staged next week.

Dead heat drama in mares pace feature

When 6-5 favorite Bryan’s Ideal faltered only so slightly in the closing strides of the $14,000 top mares weekly pace on Tuesday evening, two rivals were right there to pounce. The action at the finish was so fast and furious that a win dead heat had to be declared by the judges.

Last week’s winner in the class, Bryan’s Ideal was stung three wide through much of the first quarter before making the front in :26.4. She was guided by Dan Clements through the middle stages of :56.3 and 1:25.1 when forced to deal in the final half with the outside attack of Devachan, in rein to Mike Micallef.

In the closing strides Devachan took a short lead, while weaving through traffic and charging up was Nillabomb with Chuck Connor, Jr. in the bike. A dead heat was posted after Devachan and Nillabomb hit the line together in 1:54.1, with Bryan’s Ideal just head back in third.

Devachan, a 5-year-old Cole Muffler-Melajusted Promoss mare, is owned and trained by Bruce Pacitti who shares ownership with O’Toole Racing of Batavia, Ill. It was her second win in 16 trips this year. The share of the dead heat was the first win in 12 trips to the gate for Nillabomb, trained by Eric Beach for Trifecta 246 of Linden, Mich. The Admirals Galley-Be A Little Lady roan mare now has 34 career wins and over $358,000 on her card.

Scheduling reminder

The four nights per week live racing schedule continues through May, with post time at 7:05 p.m. (EDT) every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday at The Winter Capital of Harness Racing. Tuesday racing is dropped from the schedule in June, and Monday cards are also dropped in July for the final month of the current meet.

Free race night streaming and replays are available in the ‘racing’ tab at www.theislepompanopark.com.