by Steve Wolf, Director of Marketing, Pompano Park

Pompano Beach, FL — Midgie, after suffering his first defeat last week after three straight wins, returns to head the 10th race Open Handicap Trot at Pompano Park on Friday. The seven-year-old gelding is the 5-2 favorite from post eight for driver Wally Hennessey.

Last week Midgie made a speed break trying to leave from post eight after getting caught three-wide going into the first turn and saw his three-week win streak come to a halt for trainer Jim McDonald and the Knockout Stables of Margate.

Chili Vanili, one of two mares in the Open, was last week’s winner in 1:58¹ for driver Mickey McNichol and returns as the 7-2 second choice from post seven. The five-year-old mare by Cumin, trained by Mark Friedman and owned by the Polo Stables of Boca Raton, sports the most wins of the field with five victories this year. Last week she scored with ease, winning by three and one-quarter lengths.

Another return winner in the field is Muscle Boss Vita from post three for owner/trainer/driver Veral Bowman of Deerfield Beach. The four-year-old stallion by Muscles Yankee won for the third time this year in his last start in 1:58¹.

Other contenders include recent winners Miss Biggie Smalls (post one), Savage Hall (post two) and Silver Challenge (post five).

Every Friday night in June Pompano Park will feature Party Night in the fifth floor Patten’s Place Lounge with music, a happy hour from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. with 50% off all drinks, and prize drawings after each of the 13 races on the program.

Pompano Park will feature advance wagering on the Belmont Stakes starting Friday at 1:00 p.m.