Ppk5/8 - Florida Amateur Drivers Remember Bob Arnold

A special winner's circle presentation was conducted after the first race of the Saturday, June 9 program at The Isle Casino Racing Pompano Park by the Florida Amateur Driving Club (FADC) to remember the late Robert (Bob) Arnold. A plaque presentation was made to Renee Arnold, Bob's widow, and family members by the FADC with a large contingent from the Pompano training and driving colony also attending.

The Florida Amateur Driving Club presentation to the family of the Robert (Bob) Arnold on Saturday evening, June 9 at The Isle Casino Racing Pompano Park.  In the center of the photo, Pompano's John Berry is flanked (left) by Renee Arnold and Jamie Marra (right). (Skip Smith Photo)

"This is our way of saying Bob was a really special, inspirational member of our Club that will never be forgotten" said Jamie Marra of the FADC during the tribute. "He loved harness racing and he was generous to a fault in always providing the food for our Club meetings. His spirit for life and enthusiasm for trotters is what our non-profit, charitable organization is all about and it's timely we can eulogize Bob this way just after we've surpassed the milestone of $100,000 in donations to equine causes in need" Marra added.

Arnold passed away recently awaiting a second kidney donation. The story of how his wife, Renee, donated a kidney to save his life over a decade ago received widespread mainstream media attention in South Florida and she stated during the presentation that she is carrying on the cause of encouraging organ donation in Bob's memory. In the Robert Arnold Memorial/FADC Trot, career millionaire veteran Muscles Marinara scored a narrow front end decision in 2:00.1 for owner-driver Joe Pennacchio of Highland Beach, FL over Terminator Hall driven by Jamie Marra.

In Saturday evening's $8,500 purse Isle Mile Open Handicap Pace, Talk To Tony rated the half of in 57.1 with Andy Santeramo in the bike and held off the hard closing Northern Companion in 1:53 with Robert Hoffman in tow.

Three year old Keemosabe, prepping for the State-bred stakes program beginning in less than two weeks, brushed in for third with Bruce Ranger in the bike.

Talk To Tony is Florida's highest earning horse to date in 2012 with $45,625 on his card racing from the Kim and Jay Sears outfit for owner John Campagnuolo of Loxahatchee, FL.

Through the end of the current meet on July 28, post time is 7:05 p.m. Eastern every Wednesday and Saturday evening for live harness racing at The Winter Capital Of Harness Racing. Race night live streaming, handicapping selections with Hall Of Famer John Berry and much more is available in the 'racing' tab at www.theislepompanopark.com.