by Frank Salive, publicity director, The Isle Pompano Park

Pompano Beach, FL — The top eight Open and Free For All horses presently in training in South Florida will contest the Bernard Goldstein Memorial Pace on Saturday, Feb. 6, at The Isle Casino Racing at Pompano Park. The purse is set at $50,000, almost quadruple the usual $13,000 amount for the weekly top class in the 2009-2010 meet in South Florida.

The Bernard Goldstein Memorial will go postward in the fourth race of the 16-race doubleheader Saturday night program convening at 7:05 p.m. (EST).

Cammabis, riding a three race win streak in the weekly Open Pace class, is installed as the 3-1 morning line early choice, leaving from post four with Anthony Napolitano named to drive. McRyan Michael, after stepping to a life’s mark and the meet’s fastest mile of 1:50.2 last Saturday, is the 7-2 second choice, leaving from post three with Joe Pavia, Jr. in the bike. Daley Deposit Only, who suffered a photo finish loss to Cammabis last Saturday, is the 4-1 third choice from post five for Dan Daley.

Preceding the Bernard Goldstein Memorial in Saturday’s third race is the Mares Open Pace, which this week carries an enhanced purse of $30,000. Track record holder Esmeralda Semalu is the 2-1 early line choice with Joe Pavia, Jr., leaving from post two. Last week’s Mares Open Pace upset winner, Flip For Love with Wally Hennessey, is the 5-2 second choice and has drawn post three. Florida Breeders champion Bling has morning line odds of 7-2 with David Ingraham hired back to drive.

Also on Saturday night, the purse for the Open Trot has been upped to $30,000 from the usual $13,000 weekly amount. Last week’s top class winner Andover America with Bruce Ranger has drawn post two and has the early favorite’s role at 3-1. Trainer Dan Hennessey is sending his pair of top level trotters into battle in this test, as Colie’s has drawn post one while McCoy has drawn post five. Drawing outside in the field of seven starters is 7-2 second choice Tom Cango with Trevor Ritchie named for bike duty.

The next program at The Winter Capital of Harness Racing is Friday evening, Feb. 5, at 7:05 p.m. Billie Blue Chip, last year’s 3-year-old filly pace champion of the Pennsylvania Sires Stakes, will make her 4-year-old season’s debut in the $10,000 Fillies and Mares Open-2 Pace carded as the third race on Friday night.