by Steve Wolf, for the Florida Chapter USHWA

Pompano Beach, FL — Northern Companion, a rags-to-riches star in 2012, will be honored by the Florida Chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association on Wednesday (Dec. 12) as the November Horse of the Month at the Isle Casino & Racing Pompano Park.

The special presentation will take place in the winner’s circle after the second race as members of the Florida Chapter will present Northern Companion’s owner, Dorothy Zarza of Lake Worth, with a plaque and driver/caretaker Robert Hoffman with a check for $50.

A 4-year-old gelded son of Cambest from the Albert Albert mare Smoke It Out, Northern Companion won three of four starts in the Open Pace at Pompano in November, including a lifetime mark of 1:50.4 for trainer Howard Klohr on Nov. 17.

What is amazing is that Northern Companion had just three wins and $10,000 in earnings from his 31 starts at age two and three with a record of 1:58.2. In 2012 he has turned it all around at age four and with just two weeks left to the season, has amassed 16 wins, 10 seconds and three third place finishes in 35 starts with earnings of $84,473 and lowered his lifetime mark by nearly eight seconds.