by Frank Salive, publicity director, Isle Pompano Park

Pompano Beach, FL — It was a rare occurence indeed when a wave of longshots crossed the wire first on the Monday evening (Jan. 3) program at The Isle Casino Racing Pompano Park.

With the recent trend of larger and more attractive wagering pools again spiking the evening’s handle into the $400,000 range, a succession of long odds winners, ranging in price from 15-1 to a jaw dropping 77-1, were paid out during the 12-race program.

It was another perfect 72 degree evening in South Florida and the longshot lovers tone was established early. In the conclusion of the daily double in the second race, 4-year-old trotter Hey Bubbi was the longest odds offering in the field. He overcame a post nine start to score at 77-1 for an astonishing $157.30 return on a $2 win ticket. Linda Kakaley trains Hey Bubbi for owner Albert Massiello of Daytona Beach, Fla. It was the first of two double digit longshots brought in on the card by driver Kevin Sizer.

Lap Time Photo – Skip Smith

Grinning Breed (#8) with Anthony Napolitano driving was overlooked at 20-1 on Monday evening.

Anthony Napolitano, one of the hottest Monday evening reinsman over the past month in South Florida, was overlooked to the tune of 20-1 with claiming pacer Grinning Breed. On a class drop, he front ended his way to victory for a $43.40 win mutuel in a $10,000 claiming pace. Napolitano also owns and trains the 6-year-old gelding who is still in the track records chart at Ontario’s Hanover Raceway for a 1:56.3 spin there as a 2-year-old in 2007.

The craftiest longshot winning drive on the card was turned in by David Ingraham. He kept $6,000 claiming pacer Al’s Beach Boy welded to the pylons into the stretch and weaved through tiring rivals to post a 57-1 upset. Kelly Case trains the 7-year-old gelding for owner Carolyn Corso of Nevada.

The program ended with driver Kevin Sizer’s second major upset of the evening. He kept 11-year-old veteran Hearty Fellow well back of a hotly contested pace and swept up to win at 15-1 for trainer Marc Aubin. It was the 50th career win for Hearty Fellow who has raked in $379,000 in his career for Amante Standardbreds of Delray Beach, Fla.

In response to a recent upswing in the volume of horses in the entry box, 12-race programs are also in store for Jan. 4 and 5. Except for a dark week from April 17-24, post time is 7:05 p.m. (EST) every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday evening at The Winter Capital of Harness Racing.