by Frank Salive, publicity director, Isle Pompano Park

Pompano Beach, FL — After a break in stride last week at 1-9 it was redemption time for pacer Delivered From Zin on the Saturday (Jan. 29) program at The Isle Casino Racing Pompano Park.

“Last week he’d been two weeks between starts and I tried to take him to the back of the field instead of gunning out of there,” driver Anthony Napolitano explained. “He got a little pouty on me and didn’t like it. Tonight I rolled him to the front and he was back to his dominating self.”

The 8-year-old Sealed N Delivered-Zinful gelding established the lead quickly and was already being rated out front when the quarter flashed up in :27.4. Napolitano turned the race into a final sprint at the half in :57.3, and he sealed the open lengths win under a stout hold the rest of the way in 1:25.4 and 1:52.1. Following all the way and under the wire were Four Starz Bling with Bruce Ranger in the bike and Fox Valley Tyrese driven by Jason Dillander.

Delivered From Zin was a $30,000 claim on Dec. 20 at Harrah’s Chester by J L Benson Stables of Ft. Lauderdale and races from the care of trainer Christie Collins. He’s now a career winner of 35 races and more than $283,000.

“I don’t think you’ve seen this horse uncovered yet here in Florida,” Napolitano added. “I really believe very soon he’ll seriously challenge the track record (1:49.3, set by Load The Dice in 2007). I likely won’t be here for it since I’m leaving on Monday for a two week vacation. My brother (George Napolitano, Jr.) is making his return for 2011 here in the coming week. He’s coming off a career best year and maybe he’ll be the fortunate one to pick up the drive for that.”

The Saturday night program produced several life’s record performances with calm conditions and a mid-60s temperature prevailing.

In the $9,000 winners over $7,500 lifetime handicap, B N Bad took advantage of a drop in class to score a pocket trip win in 1:51.1. Joe Pavia, Jr. trains and drives the Soho-Our Sleep N Beauty gelding for AGC Stables, Steven Held, Peter Shank and Paul Molter.

Utah Jack in rein to David Ingraham made an early move to the front and supplied the top end speed in :27.3, :55.4, and 1:23.1. After disposing of the first over move of Windsong Destroyer, Utah Jack was out of resources for the stretch and could not hold off B N Bad. Dragon’s Blood with Mike Micallef in the bike scooted through on the pylons to take down the place prize and Utah Jack held third.

The other Pavia stable member equalling his life’s mark was $18,000 claiming pacer Arterosa in 1:52.2 for the AGC Stables of Highland Beach, Fla.

The parade of Saturday night winners improving their life’s speed marks included conditioned trotter Bo Bernie (1:57.3), claiming mare pacer Trishie Mae (1:54.2), and claiming pacer Albion (1:54.2).

The success of the popular Pick-4 wager with a reduced 15 percent takeout and a $2,500 guaranteed minimum pool on Wednesday evening is also going to be offered on Monday evening programs, starting with the Monday, Jan. 31, program. It’s the second wagering initiative to be added or extended at the track in the past week along with the addition of a Pick-3 on every program’s last three races.

Post time is 7:05 p.m. (EST) every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday at The Winter Capital of Harness Racing. Race night streaming and the replays archive can be accessed for free in the ‘racing’ tab at www.theislepompanopark.com.