by Michael Costanzo, public relations coordinator, Pompano Park

Pompano Beach, FL — Pompano Park, which begins its 44th season of live racing on Friday, September 14, will host a stakes-laden opening night program featuring nine fourth leg divisions of the Sunshine State Stakes, six of which will be contested as non-wagering events beginning at 6:15 p.m.

Headlining the three Sunshine State Stakes that will be held on the pari-mutuel program is the $9,053 leg for juvenile colt and gelding trotters that features a rematch between Trot Monster and Southern Rain, who were separated by a head in their last encounter.

Owned by John Campagnuolo and trained by Kim Sears, Trot Monster has visited the winner’s circle in each of his last two outings, most recently capturing the $35,075 Florida Stallion Stakes for 2-year-old colt and gelding trotters in a lifetime best 2:01.3 on August 1.

Listed as the 7-2 second choice in the morning line, Trot Monster has drawn post three for the opening night trot and will be guided by Hall of Fame driver Wally Hennessey.

Mark Rorabeck’s Southern Rain, a three-time winner in five career starts, that missed by a head to Trot Monster in his last outing, will take another crack at upending that rival when starting from post one in Friday’s trot.

Trained by Mike Deters, Southern Rain has been installed as the 5-2 morning line favorite for Friday’s race and will be driven from the rail by Pompano Park’s all-time leading driver, Bruce Ranger.

Also slated to make an appearance on Friday is Ciara Stable and Michael Polansky’s Alice Springs, who will start in the $5,380 leg of the Sunshine State Stakes for juvenile female pacers.

The undefeated daughter of first-crop sire N Aboriginal coasted to an impressive victory in 1:56.4 on August 3 when capturing the $36,775 Florida Stallion Stakes for 2-year-old filly pacers, and just two starts ago the Tom Harmer trainee paced a lifetime best mile in 1:56.2 when taking the second leg of the Sunshine State Stakes on July 27.

The team of Ciara Stable, Polansky, and Harmer will also send out Indigo Swirl in the $5,199 leg of the Sunshine State Stakes for 2-year-old filly trotters. The daughter of Crown Can exits an effortless eight length victory on August 1 when taking down the $23,750 Florida Stallion Stakes for juvenile female trotters in 2:02.3.

Live racing at Pompano Park is held three nights a week, with a 7:25 p.m. post time each Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. Pompano will add Monday racing to the weekly schedule beginning October 29.

Opening night activities at Pompano will include a fireworks show following the sixth race on the program.