by Frank Salive, publicity director, Isle Pompano Park

Pompano Beach, FL — Bruce Ranger will be out of action for the Wednesday and Saturday evening programs (April 13 and 16) at the Isle Casino Racing Pompano Park because of a separated shoulder suffered in a racing mishap on Tuesday evening.

Bruce Ranger

Ranger was driving pacing mare Stylish Soiree N in the fifth race when she stumbled and fell at the start, sending Ranger to the track. To his credit he was able to keep the mare under control and return her to the paddock without further incident to the field in the race won by Glam Cam.

Ranger admitted himself to the hospital after the accident and had to be sedated for doctors to repair the shoulder separation. Ranger will also be undergoing a follow-up assessment to determine whether there was any damage beyond that injury. In spite of having his arm in a sling, Ranger was at his barn on Wednesday morning on the Pompano backstretch attending the horses with his assistant trainer Stewart Nemiro.

Replacement drivers will be announced this evening and Saturday night with Ranger out of action. He was scheduled for bike duty in all 11 races tonight.

Since there is a dark week coming up from April 17-24, Ranger will be able to use that pause in the Pompano schedule for a further assessment on how long he’ll be out of the line-up.

The 51-year-old horseman is the leading driver of the current meet with 191 wins for almost $1 million in purses, and earlier this meet Ranger surpassed 8,000 lifetime winning drives. He is also the leading driver in the 47-year history of the South Florida venue.