Although the opening event of the 2012 Sires Stakes program for Florida bred trotters and pacers doesn't start for another six weeks, there's been a noteworthy change in connections for three year old colt pacer Keemosabe.
The strapping son of Squaw's Fella from the Jate Lobell mare Bolero Athena will debut from the care of Bruce Ranger and his assistant Stewart Nemiro in the third race this Saturday evening, May 5. Because of his dominating presence, show wagering is banished from the event.
Last year at 2, Keemosabe raced from in Pennsylvania and New Jersey from the care of trainer Steve Elliott. He finished 4th in a division of the Reynolds Stake at Pocono Downs, took a race record of 1:56.1 at The Meadowlands and qualified at Gaitway Farms in 1:55.4. Already in 2012, Keemosabe won from the care of trainer Jake Leamon over maiden company on March 31 in 1:55.4 prior to qualifying at Pompano in 1:54.1. The promising colt then cut the mile against older conditioned rivals on April 21 over a wet track to record a strong runner-up finish to the pocket-sitting Waldy Jimmy when individually timed in 1:52.1.
Keemosabe is on the list of eligibles in the three year old colt and gelding pace division in the State bred program for owner Jerry Glantz of Delray Beach, FL. The newly updated and reconfigured website for the Florida Standardbred Breeders And Owners Association is now found at www.myfsboa.com .
Wildfire Survives Inquiry In Top Weekly Trot
Florida's most popular older trotting mare of last year, Wildfire, is getting better with age and enroute to an even better encore performance in 2012. She survived a judges inquiry to take the top prize in the $8,500 Isle Mile 1 Open Handicap Trot which highlighted the Wednesday evening, May 2 program.
Driver Dan Clements had the mare out front at the quarter and then vacating the pocket going into the final turn against second choice Whosgoinwhosstayin in rein to Andy Santeramo leading up to her win time of 1:56. Prairie Big John driven by Tom Sells raced first over in the final half and moved up for second over Whosgoinwhosstayin. A judges inquiry found no infractions in the review of the move out of the pocket by Wildfire at the three quarters. Joe Kroll trains the 5year old daughter of Famously-Giant Wonder for owners Leah and Ron Schaefer of Weirsdale, FL.
Wildfire had earned over $30,000 to date in 2012 which is almost half of her lifetime bankroll.
Derby Weekend Ahead
Advance wagering on the Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby programs will open early, at 11 a.m., on Friday May 4 and Saturday May 5 at The Isle Casino Racing Pompano Park. Saturday evening's live Pompano harness program will feature a mandatory payout on the ten cent MEGA-9 wager.
The current schedule of live racing every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday continues through May with post time at 7:05 p.m. Eastern. The 2011-2012 meet at Pompano concludes with live racing every Wednesday and Saturday in June and July. Free race night live streaming, the racing schedule, handicapping selections by Hall Of Famer John Berry and much more is available at www.theislepompanopark.com.
