In the $8,000 purse Isle Mile 1 Handicap on the Wednesday, April 11 program, Smokin Dabra made the most of a trip just off the leader to earn his first win in his third start of the year. The recent dominant entrant in the class, 5 year old mare Wildfire, was sent through fractions of 27.3, 56.4 and 1:26.2 by Dan Clements but she was tiring early in the stretch. Norm Dessereault brought Smokin Dabra out of the pocket to freeze the clock in 1:55.2 for a narrow decision over Spring Goal in rein to Rick Plano. Prairie Big John, partnered by Tom Sells, brushed up for third.
Smokin Dabra is coming off his best career year in 2011 when he banked more than $84,000 for owner John Bosworth of Newmarket, ON with 11 wins in 34 trips last year. The Kadabra-Smokin Rama gelding is trained in Florida by Noreen Paulin of the Norm Dessereault Stable.
In the undercard mid-week trotting features at Pompano, Dan Clements worked out a pocket trip win in 1:56.3 for 7 year old mare Nasty Secret in the $6,700 purse Isle Mile 2 and Barely Famous was a strong front end winner in the $4,700 purse Isle Mile 4 in a life's best of 1:55.4 with Wally Hennessey in tow.
Fireworks, Early Post Time For Saturday, April 14
This Saturday, April 14, there's a special early post time of 7:05 p.m. accompanied by the trackside Miami Gourment Food Trucks, trackside deejay Summer party, and a fireworks show after the races. The current meet concludes on July 28. In April and May post time is 7:15 p.m. Eastern every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday at The Winter Capital Of Harness Racing. Next week, there is no live racing on Monday, April 16 and Wednesday, April 18. In June and July, live cards will be held on Wednesday and Saturday evenings. Free race night live streaming, handicapping selections by Hall Of Famer John Berry, the replays archive and much more is available in the 'racing' tab at www.theislepompanopark.com .
