Croatian born driver making his mark at Pompano
March 4, 2005,by Steve Wolf, Director of Marketing, Pompano Park
Pompano Beach, FL — Srdan Saric, 23, from Subotica, Croatia, is making a name for himself at Pompano Park Harness Track. One of the few Croatian harness drivers in North America, he is currently the leading amateur driver at the racetrack and may soon achieve his major career goal, getting his “A” status harness drivers license.
Lap Time Photo
Srdan Saric drove Lotta Butch to victory in Friday’s amateur feature at Pompano Park
“I grew up around harness racing in Croatia,” Saric said. “I have always wanted to be a trainer-driver and now my dreams are coming true. Along with my older brother, Zoran, we are the only Croatian trainer-drivers in all of North America.”
Friday night at Pompano Park Saric posted his 10th career victory, and fifth in 2005, winning the third race trot division of the Florida Amateur Driving Club Series with Lotta Butch, in 2:01, who paid $15.80 to win.
“Now I have enough wins to meet with the judges at the track and see if they will grant me my “A” license, which is the top license you can get as a harness driver and allows you to compete at any harness track in the sport.” Saric said. “It will be very special to me.
“I have some great owners that have given me horses to train and drive.” Saric explained, “And as long as I do well with them, my stable will continue to grow. The Florida Amateur Driving Club (FADC) has been great because it has given me the chance to drive and to show that I have the ability to compete in this sport.”
In 2004, Dein Spriggs, a member of the Club, was named North America’s Amateur Driver of the Year, an honor that Sirac hopes he may achieve one day.
The Florida Amateur Driving Club at Pompano Park is one of the biggest clubs in North America and features two to three club races each week at the track. Amateur drivers cannot accept any fees for driving horses and all their earnings are giving away annually to charities throughout the community and the industry.
Hyde Park Hussie N ($9.20) was able to fend off two strong challenges and still lead from start to finish in capturing the seventh race $9,000 Fillies and Mares Open Handicap pace.
Driven by Anthony Napolitano, Hyde Park Hussie N won by a neck over S F Misty (Kevin Wallis) and Pownal (Bruce Ranger) in 1:55. It was the first win in five starts for the 7-year-old mare by New York Motoring, who is trained by David Deuschie and owned by the Deuschie Racing Stable of Wellington, Fla.
Leaving from post two, Napolitano sent Hyde Park Hussie N to the front, but was challenged on the outside by Jus’ Chillin Out and driver Joe Pavia, Jr. as the passed the quarter pole in :273.
As Pavia was nearly able to clear to the lead, Jus’ Chillin Out broke stride with S F Misty securing the two-hole spot. Pownal tried coming first-over but could not catch the leaders by mid-stretch as Wallis moved out with S F Misty, but Hyde Park Hussie proved too strong and held on at the wire.
Ranger had the hot hands among the drivers Friday, scoring a Grand Slam, four winners on the night.