In the Sweetheart Pace, scheduled as the 4th race on the program, Diane Long has drawn the assignment with 3-1 early favorite Thaacaretheeso. Long, a resident of Summerfield, FL is a career winner of 144 races in the bike. In the Sweetheart Trot, scheduled as the 6th race on the program, Luanna Beeson will partner 3-1 morning line choice K M Sweet Dreams. Beeson, a Ft. Lauderdale resident, is seeking her first career driving win in the event.
By far the best known driver in the events is Kelly Case of Pompano Beach, as her 770 career driving wins is more than the rest of her eight rivals combined. She is also the only competitor with more than $1 million in career purse earnings in the drivers' seat. In addition to Case, Long, and Beeson, the cast includes Whitney Goodblood of Vernon, NY and Florida based drivers Laurie Poulin, Gro Former, Anne Schlichtig, Mary Birkhold, Miriam Toland. Purses for the 2012 Sweetheart Pace and Sweetheart Trot at Pompano have been increased from the usual $3,000 level to $5,500 and the two special dashes will accompany trackside promotions and games with a Valentine's theme hosted by trackside reporter Gigi Diaz.