by Frank Salive, publicity director, Isle Pompano Park

Pompano Beach, FL — The upcoming final weekend of November at The Isle Casino Racing Pompano Park marks the rollout of several new exciting and interesting initiatives for both fans and horsepeople. These are explained in detail below.

MEGA-9 Wager (starts Nov. 28)

Leading off the new offerings for fans is the implementation of the MEGA-9 Wager on the Saturday evening (Nov. 26) program. The base wager of just 10 cents will give customers the chance to win the minimum guaranteed pool of $5,000 for a single winning ticket.

“We believe the MEGA-9 is something completely new for North America’s harness tracks,” says John Yinger, Racing Operations Director at the South Florida venue. “We’ve seen other harness tracks such as Batavia Downs and Thoroughbred tracks including Beulah Park and Gulfstream Park offer a Pick-6 which generates a lot of excitement and interest, especially when the carryover pools are building up.

“From the input of some focus groups and local customers we wanted to respond to their concern that there can be a high number of favorites winning on some harness racing programs as compared to other breeds. So, we thought we’d try to break new ground in the harness racing industry and extend it out to a MEGA-9 to provide the chance for the larger payouts they are hoping will develop,” Yinger adds.

On nights when there is no single winning ticket for all nine races, 60 percent of the MEGA-9 pool will be distributed as a single price payout to those selecting the winners in the greatest number of races. In that situation, 40 percent will be added to, or create, a carryover or ‘jackpot’ pool to the next evening’s live Pompano program.

The MEGA-9 wager will encompass the final nine races of each program and there will be a mandatory payout of the entire pool on Saturday, May 5, 2012.

Pick-4 guaranteed $5,000 minimum pool (starts Nov. 28)

Pompano becomes the latest track to combine forces with the United States Trotting Association’s Strategic Wagering Program next week. Starting on Nov. 28, on every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday program at Pompano, the Pick-4 wager will have a minimum $5,000 guaranteed wagering pool.

The wager is already one of the track’s most popular best value bets and offers a reduced 15 percent takeout.

In support of the Pompano Pick-4, free program pages for the Strategic Wagering Program races will be made available by Trackmaster in the ‘handicapping’ tab at www.ustrotting.com.

Horse and Groom of the Month Award (starts Nov. 29)

In recognition of the accomplishments of each month’s top horses and their connections, the Florida chapter of The United States Harness Writers Association is sponsoring a monthly award — but with a new twist.

The winning horse award each month will also include an award for the groom of that horse.

“In addition to saluting the achievements of the horses, our membership also wants to take this monthly award one step further and acknowledge the often overlooked and invaluable contributions of the caretakers who provide the crucial hands on care of the horses,” says Fred Segal, president of the Florida chapter of USHWA. “So, along with a presentation to the owners of each horse of the month, we’ll also be presenting a $50 check to that horse’s groom.”

The first Horse and Groom of the Month Award will take place in the Pompano winner’s circle after the first race of the Tuesday (Nov. 29) program. The winning groom will also be given the chance to be interviewed on that night’s live Pompano television and internet stream broadcast.

‘Face-Off’ handicapping contest (starts Dec. 5)

A new handicapping contest will debut during the Dec. 5 program. Trackside host Gigi Diaz will be emceeing the “Face-Off” contest each Monday evening, as lucky chosen contestants on-track will ‘face-off’ against each for cash prizes. The current Monday evening on-track handicapping contest, Last Player Standing, concludes on the Nov. 28 program.

Post time is 7:05 p.m. (EST) every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday at The Winter Capital of Harness Racing. The full season schedule through next July, along with free race night live streaming and replays, is found in the ‘racing’ tab at www.theislepompanopark.com.