by Frank Salive, publicity director, Isle Pompano Park
Pompano Beach, FL — The Isle Casino Racing Pompano Park rolled out its new MEGA-9 wager for the first time to the public on the Saturday (Nov. 26) program, offering patrons the chance to win a minimum $5,000 guaranteed pool for a base 10-cent wager.
The first night’s payout was $13.46 for those selecting 7 of 9, and the $5,000 guaranteed minimum pool on the MEGA-9 will be offered again on Monday evening and every race night through the mandatory payout night of May 5, 2012.
“So far as we know it’s a precedent setting wagering product for the harness racing industry and the input is definitely positive from our guests and customers on the introduction of the MEGA-9,” says John Yinger, the track’s Racing Operations Director. “As the public, our staff, and our simulcast partners get more used to it, we absolutely expect to see it grow for the interest in the building jackpot and the generous payouts, even for the nightly consolation, for just a 10-cent base wager.”
Another new initiative commences on Monday evening (Nov. 28). Pompano’s nightly Pick-4 on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday will have a $5,000 guaranteed pool as the wager joins forces with The United States Trotting Association Strategic Wagering Program. Free online program pages for the Pick-4 will be offered in the ‘handicapping’ tab at www.ustrotting.com.
Bill Nelson Memorial held
A winner’s circle ceremony was held following the fourth race of the Saturday evening program to honor the memory of horseman Bill Nelson, a popular member of the Pompano backstretch until his passing in April of this year just before his 74th birthday.
Skip Smith photo
A large crowd of family and friends gathered in the winner’s circle after the Bill Nelson Memorial Pace.
Nelson moved from Iowa to Pompano Beach in 1954 and five years later started a roof painting company which still operates today. When the track opened in 1964 he started an involvement with harness racing which would last for the rest of his life, as he and his wife Heddy would stable 15-20 horses with their daughters Cindy (Nelson) Evans and Sandy (Nelson) Hollon as he earned the nickname “King Of The Claimers,”
Last Spring, just before his passing, Bill was honored by the Florida Chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association with the R.D. Ricketts Award for owners making significant contributions to Florida harness racing.
Friends and family of the late Bill Nelson travelled from as far away as Costa Rica to take part in the tribute. They offered anecdotes and memories of his best horse, Quaker Hall, a winner of 13 straight races, and his fastest and favorite horse, Big Bad Bud.
Ontario’s McGinnis wins Florida debut
He needed the entire racetrack to win the photo, but 55-year-old trainer Dave McGinnis of St. George Brant, Ontario, won with his first starter at The Winter Capital of Harness Racing.
Vroom Hanover, a 4-year-old gelding by I Am A Fool-Vassar Hanover, flew home from a third over trip to topple a $5,000 conditioned group in 1:54 to follow up the 1:52.2 life’s mark he took at Woodbine on Nov. 7.
It also marked the first win of the meet for Doug Brown as the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame inductee begins his second full winter of driving and training in The Sunshine State.
Vroom Hanover is owned by Eleanor Steinberg and Cully McGinnis.
Rick’s Sign earns a life’s mark
The Saturday evening edition of the $12,000 Open Handicap Pace in South Florida was reduced to a field of five due to the scratches of D’Artagnan and B N Bad but that didn’t stop Rick’s Sign from turning in a life’s mark performance of 1:50.3.
With Fern Paquet, Jr. returning to race bike duty for the 6-year-old Life Sign-Lasting Flower K gelding, Rick’s Sign was parked to the quarter by Dragon’s Blood and Mike Micallef in :27.1 and they wasted no time to the half in :54.4.
In the final half, Sfumato came with a first over rush to the final turn in 1:23 for driver Ed Hensley. Rick’s Sign was up to the challenge with a :27.3 kicker in reserve as Dragon’s Blood moved up from the pocket for the place prize over Sfumato.
Rick’s Sign was a terror in Michigan earlier this year in the top classes at Hazel Park and Northville Downs. He’s racked up 13 wins in 36 starts this year and he’s in the midst of his best career season with $98,573 banked in 2011. Paul Holzman does the training for owner Andrew Sassen.
Saturday post time to 7:15 p.m. starting Dec. 3
Post time is 7:05 p.m. (EST) every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and at 7:15 p.m. every Saturday at The Winter Capital of Harness Racing. The full season schedule through next July, along with free race night live streaming, handicapping selections and replays is found in the ‘racing’ tab at www.theislepompanopark.com.