by Steve Wolf, Senior Director of Marketing, Pompano Park
Pompano Beach, Florida – January 18, 2005 – World champion trotter Chucara Ahijuna makes his 2005 debut at Pompano Park Wednesday in the 9th race $9,000 Open Handicap.
The Argentinean bred eight-year-old was a 14-race winner last year and will start from post three for driver Kevin Wallis. He is the world fastest double-gaited Standardbred of all time and is listed as the 8/5 favorite Wednesday.
Trained by Paul Bernardo and owned by the Berry Stable of Staten Island, New York, Chucaro Ahijuna is returning after a two month layoff and prepped for his debut with an impressive 1:56.3 qualifying win with Wallis in the bike, romping by twenty five and one-half lengths and kicking in a :28.2 last quarter mile.
His main opposition will come from Ultimate Sunday in post six for driver Bruce Ranger. The ten-year-old gelding, a 15-race winner in 2004, started off 2005 as he ended 2004, with a victory. Last week he led from start to finish in the Open in 1:55.3. Last year Ultimate Sundance was the fastest trotter all season at Pompano Park for owner Mike Biel of Ft. Lauderdale.
Also entered is track record holder, Damon Runyon (post 4) who was second last week to Ultimate Sundance, newcomer Guy Gets Girl (post 5), return winner Sweet Count (post 2) who won in 1:56.3 last week and Muscle Boss Vita (post 1).
All of the starters in the race have been nominated to the $150,000 Mack Lobell Trotting Series that gets underway at Pompano Park in February.