by Steven Wolf, senior director of marketing and communications, Pompano Park

Pompano Beach, FL — Co-track record holders Damon Runyon and Trappers Salute A will square off Wednesday at Pompano Park Harness Track in the ninth race $13,000 Open Handicap Trot.

Last week was the first time the two have met and Damon Runyon came away with a victory, his 12th win of the 2003 season.

Damon Runyon is the 3-1 second choice in the race and starts from post five for driver David Ingraham. Last week Damon Runyon, in his first start back after a two month layoff, was able to post a head triumph in 1:55⁴ over Ultimate Sundance, who starts from post eight for driver Bruce Ranger.

Trappers Salute A starts from post six and is the 5-2 favorite. The eight-year-old gelding from Australia ended 2003 with 12 wins, ten of them in the USA for trainer/driver George Napolitano, Jr. Trappers Salute A has won four of his last seven starts and last week finished fourth, the first time in months that the trotter has finished off the board.

The only other return winner in the field is Laredo Kosmos for the Hennessey Stable. Last week he won the Open II Trot with a 1:57³ triumph and starts from post three for driver Wally Hennessey. Laredo Kosmos is owned by Joanne Dancer of Pompano Beach, the wife of Hall of Famer Stanley Dancer.

Other contenders include Ultimate Sundance (post eight), who was second to Damon Runyon last week, Ichiban (post one), Trotting Yankee (post two), Town Meister (post three) and Zizi’s Balance (post seven).

Beep Beep Move Over heads the seventh race Open II Trot from post six for driver Bruce Ranger and is going for his fourth straight win for the Ranger Stable. Two starts back he scored a lifetime best 1:56¹ triumph.

Pompano Park will feature live racing every Thursday starting tomorrow (January 8) through late April. The track is now open five nights a week for live racing — Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Tomorrow will be Ladies Night with 2 for 1 drinks specials for all women.