by Steve Wolf, Director of Marketing, Pompano Park

Pompano Beach, Florida – February 13, 2004 – “You have to get lucky sometimes and that’s what happened tonight.” Said trainer Gordon Norris after his trotting mare, Lori Louise ($8.60, $3.20, $2.80), scored a neck victory over I’m Dam Goog in ($4.40, $3.80) and Son Of Flair A ($5.40) in beating six males rivals in the opening round of the $125,000 Mack Lobell Trotting Series Friday in 1:56.1 at Pompano Park Harness Track.

The 5th race $17,500 first division of the Mack Lobell saw the only mare in the series, Lori Louise and driver Kevin Wallis shoot out to the early lead from post three and stuff I’m Dam Goog (Richard Macomber, Jr.) into the two-hole by the opening quarter mile in a mild :29.1.

Zizi’s Balance (John Patterson, Jr.) then came out with the quarter move to take command going to the half in :58.3 with I’m Dam Goog then pulling first-over in the backstretch and battling with Zizi’s Balance to the three-quarters in 1:28.

As they started down the stretch, Wallis was able to come out with Lori Louise and the track record holding mare was game to the wire, grinding out the victory in the final strides to the wire.

It was the third win this year for Lori Louise, a six-year-old mare by Jurgy Hanover, who was bred and is owned by Diane Norris and Clifford Grundy of Howell, Michigan.

“When she (Lori Louise) is feeling good like she was tonight,” Said Kevin Wallis,” She’s as good as the boys. She felt good in the pocket and dug right in down the stretch.”

“I knew entering her in the series that she would have a tough time.” Norris said. “But we have the best driver, the best trainer, the best groom, the best owners and we drew into what we thought was the easier of the two divisions, so we were all set to do well. Let’s hope the same can happen throughout the series!”

(Lap Time Photo – Skip Smith)

ULTIMATE SUNDANCE (#3) beats out Trappers Salute A (#7) in 1:56.1 to win the second division of the Mack Lobell Trotting Series Friday at Pompano Park for driver Bruce Ranger.

In the 7th race $17,500 second division of the Mack Lobell, it was a near repeat performance from the first division.

Ultimate Sundance ($9.60, $4.20, $3.20) and driver Bruce Ranger left from post three and took early command with B Cor Super Tom (Tom Sells) in the two-hole to the opening quarter mile in :28.2. Coerfurst (David Ingraham) quarter moved to take the lead before the half mile in :58.1.

Ichiban (Kevin Wallis) came first-over in the backstretch and tried to pressure the leaders but could not reach the front. By the three-quarters in 1:27.2, Trappers Salute A (George Napolitano, Jr.) had to sweep three-wide around a tiring Ichiban.

As the field came down the stretch, Ranger was able to come out with Ultimate Sundance and beat out Trappers Salute A ($4.00, $3.20) to win by a half length in 1:56.1. Coerfurst ($2.60) was third.

It was the first win in six starts for Ultimate Sundance, a nine-year-old gelding by Ultimate Kosmos, owned by Mike Biel of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida and trained by Serge Nadeau for the Ranger Stable.

“He’s a good old horse.” Ranger said of Ultimate Sundance. “He’s honest, gives you his best every start and getting the two-hole trip helped him so much tonight.”

The second round of the series takes place next Friday and then the top nine point earners return Saturday, February 28 for the $75,000 added final.

Ranger had the grand slam among the drivers Friday, winning four races on the program.

$250,000 ISLE OF CAPRI PACING SERIES STARTS SATURDAY

The $250,000 6th annual Isle of Capri Pacing Series gets underway Saturday with 25 horses competing in three $25,000 divisions for the opening round.

Quality Of Life is the 5/2 morning line favorite in the 5th race first division for driver Bruce Ranger from post five. In his last four starts in the Open Pace at Pompano, Quality Of Life has won twice and earlier this season popped a 1:51.2 mile. Other contenders include $481,000 career winner, The Globe (post 6), Dee Magic Man (post 3) who just qualified in 1:55, Chicago shipper Fox Valley Devious (post 8), who won $165,000 last year for the Tom Harmer Stable and newcomer The Boy N (post 4), a 1:56.4 winner at Freehold Raceway, NJ two starts back.

Image Of Dawn is the 8/5 favorite in the 7th race second division for trainer Patrick Lachance. The shipper from the Meadowlands won $130,000 last year with nine wins and starts from post five for driver Bruce Ranger. He Wants It All (post 3) won his last start in 1:52.1 at Pompano for trainer/driver Tom Harmer and Hipeka A (post 4) captured the Open Pace at Pompano last week in 1:52.1 for trainer/driver George Napolitano, Jr.

In the 9th race third Isle division, Cam In Black from the rail for driver Vince Copeland is the 5/2 favorite having finished first or second in his last five starts at Pompano, the fastest a lifetime mark of 1:51.2. Second choice at 7/2 is Luckyisasluckydoes (post 6) who ships in from Woodbine Racecourse in Canada having earned $164,000 last year for trainer Mark Harder and Mean St Partners (post 5) enters the race off a 1:53.1 triumph last week at Pompano Park in the Open II Pace.

With Saturday being Valentine’s Day then the annual Sweetheart Pace for women drivers only will be taking place in the 2nd race $3,000 pace for fillies and mares. Featured will be eight lady drivers battling it out for the Sweetheart Trophy. The 5/2 favorite is Kelly Case from post 3 driving Sucrette. Silly N Sassy is the 7/2 second choice for driver Michele Brainard and the 9/2 third choice is Hawaiian Ukulele for driver Diane Long.

There will also be free flowers for all the women in attendance, free mini horse rides for the kids and free prize drawings for women only with the top prize a trip for two to the Isle of Capri’s newest casino at Our Lucaya on Grand Bahama Island.