Ppk5/8 - Case, Beeson Capture Pompano Valentine Races

The competitors with the most and fewest lifetime winning drives earned the top prizes in the 2012 Sweetheart Pace and Sweetheart Trot as part of the Valentine's program festivities at The Isle Casino Racing Pompano Park. A cast of nine female drivers was assembled for the races which carried increased purses of $5,500 from the usual $3,000 level.

In the Sweetheart Pace, Kelly Case of Pompano Beach, FL turned in a smart rated drive to score gate to wire with claiming pace mare Indianridge Sophia. Midway up the backstretch after the 59.1 half, Laurie Poulin brought One More Molly out of the pocket to do battle to the final turn in 1:27.4. When the wire arrived in 1:57.1, Case was an upset winner at 6-1 with the 9 year old mare by Grinfromeartoear-Lady Warbucks owned and trained by Irwin Lubar of Tamarac, FL. Misdori, driven by Whitney Goodblood, followed in for third. Case now counts 771 lifetime winning drives and she was the only entrant with over $1 million in career purse earnings in the bike.



Indianridge Sophia, driven by Kelly Case wins the Sweetheart Pace (Skip Smith Photo)

"I had a really nice little mare to drive, and I admit I was a bit nervous late in the stretch when Laurie Poulin's mare got up alongside me" Case said. "Indianridge Sophia dug in just great when it counted and I think this cast of lady drivers really put on a great show here tonight" she added.

In the Sweetheart Trot, it was a joyous moment for Luanna Beeson of Ft. Lauderdale, FL as she earned her first lifetime winning drive. She was sent off as even money favorite with K M Sweet Dreams and made no mistake by guiding the 9 year old mare by Famously-Ann K's Comet through fractions of 29.1, 59.1 and 1:29.2 leading up to the length victory in 1:59.4. New Revenue, driven by Diane Long was a closing second and Bit O Lavec partnered by Anne Schlichtig was third.

K M Sweet Dreams, driven by Luanna Beeson wins the Sweetheart Trot (Skip Smith Photo)

"I really wasn't thinking of anything else except getting my horse to the front and then avoiding mistakes when I got there" Beeson said in her live trackside TV interview with Pompano's Gigi Diaz. "I just hope I don't have to wait another 49 years to get my second lifetime win" she quipped. K M Sweet Dreams is trained by Ed Hensley for owner Robert Weinstein of Bellmore, NY.

Following the completion of their events the lady drivers assembled in the winner's circle for Valentine's gift presentations from the track and casino and a group photograph.