by Steve Wolf, Senior Director of Marketing, Pompano Park
Pompano Beach, FL — For the sixth straight year, Pompano Park Harness Track will feature the world’s only Midnight Mile in horse racing for New Year’s Eve on Friday. The tracks 12th and final race of the year starts at 11:59 p.m. in 2004 and will end right after midnight in 2005. The winning connections in the race get to celebrate with track management in the winner’s circle with a champagne toast. The 5-2 race favorite in the ten horse field is Brothers T And R from post eight, who two starts back posted his eighth win of the season and figures to try and lead from start to finish. That’s what Brothers T And R did two starts back when he won at Pompano Park in 1:55.3. Owned and trained by George Napolitano, Jr., Brothers T And R will be driven by Bruce Ranger. Second choice in the race is Tips Ahoy from post three. Despite being 0 for 14 in 2004, the five-year-old stallion has been a game second or third in his last four starts for trainer/driver Steve Oliwa. The lone return winner in the field is Race Like A Winner in post seven. Last week driver David Ingraham scored a one length triumph with Race Like A Winner in 1:57.1 as the race favorite. Ingraham is the only driver in the field that has previously won the Midnight Mile race. He won back in 2002 with Sudden Chief. In addition to a special dining package at the track’s Top of the Park Restaurant, there will be an after-hours NYE party with music and dancing at the track following the last race so that employees and horsemen can also celebrate with patrons after their work shift is completed.