by Frank Salive, publicity director, Isle Pompano Park

Pompano Beach, FL — A whole lot more has just gone on the line for the opening weeks of March for the talented driving colony and for fan interest at The Isle Casino Racing Pompano Park.

“We’re announcing a cash contest for a three night drivers’ challenge from March 14 through March 16,” said John Yinger, the track’s Racing Operations Director. “We’ve tried to devise it in such a way that the excitement starts this week since there’s a big contest until March 5 for the final three slots to be earned into our drivers’ challenge. For the three race nights starting on March 14 that we stage the challenge, we feel there’s something for everyone. It will certainly showcase and reward the abilities of the top nine drivers from the 2010-11 Winter Meet here and we’re increasing purses for the ten races of the challenge. The continuity of a three night competition is great for the fans and in the championship leg on March 16, we’ll have a $5,000 guaranteed Pick-4 comprised of the last four races of the challenge.”

The top nine drivers in the challenge will be decided by wins at the current meet in South Florida through completion of the program this Saturday, March 5. Already earning their way into the challenge are Bruce Ranger, Wally Hennessey, Anthony Napolitano, Dan Clements, Ricky Macomber, Jr., and Mike Micallef. The contest to fill out the final three spots concludes with the final race on Saturday night. Still in the hunt for the last three berths into the challenge are George Napolitano, Jr., David Ingraham, Tom Sells, Joe Pavia, Jr., Jason Dillander, Chuck Connor, Jr. and Doug Brown.

On March 14 and 15, three races in the challenge will be contested on each night. On the March 16 program, the final four races of the drivers’ challenge will be staged. Those final four races will comprise that program’s Pick-4 with a $5,000 guaranteed pool in addition to that wager’s usual reduced 15 percent takeout. For all three nights, increased purses will be offered on the drivers’ challenge races. The top prize is $8,000 for the winning driver of the challenge, with $4,000 for second, $2,000 for third and $1,000 for fourth. For the drivers placing fifth through ninth in the challenge the cash prize is $500.

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 replays are available for free in the racing tab at www.theislepompanopark.com.