We were married at Pompano Park

Known as the “Winter Capital of Harness Racing,” Isle Casino® Racing Pompano Park had been the home of world-class standardbred horse racing since 1964.  But as I studied the 2022 schedule for April, the sad reality came into focus: “Live racing on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday, April 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 17 (final night).” It was the note in parentheses that made it all real. Our beloved local “second home” in Pompano Beach was to be closed and ultimately destroyed!

It was where I had loved jogging so many racehorses from a sulky, where I had met my husband Fred Segal in 1987, and where we married two years later in a gala affair at Pompano Park with many friends including those from the track. Our Best Man was John Van Lennep, son of the track’s founders Francis Dodge and Frederick Van Lennep. All those wonderful memories would be just that now – memories.

Efforts had been made to sway both the track management and ultimately the Florida Legislature. Dan Daley, a second term Representative in Tallahassee’s state legislature, is from a horse racing family. He championed a bill that won in the house but was denied in the state senate.  He really tried!

When Caesar’s Entertainment purchased the 200+ acre property from The Isle/Eldorado, it spelled the end of live harness racing for the state of Florida. However, thoroughbred racing can continue. According to the South Florida Sun Sentinel, Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach and Tampa Bay Downs would still be required to offer live racing.

Daley told horsemen he would continue to fight at the 2023 legislative session for a harness racing license in Florida. But it would be too late for Pompano Park. Caesar’s management planned to immediately begin dismantling all areas and structures related to harness racing on May 1, just several short weeks after its final race night.

Reality finally had to be faced. The death knell had sounded for our beloved Pompano Park. So, we got there on Easter night in time for the first race at 7:05 pm and stayed until after the 16th and a brief farewell film at 1:10 am. It was tough! Many old friends who had retired from racing as well as those still involved were there. It was a record crowd for recent years!

Programs with a heartfelt letter from Director of Racing Gabe Prewitt were scarce, since track management had printed only a limited number, so patrons guarded them carefully. Each race was devoted to individuals who had some history with the track beginning with Frederick & Francis Dodge Van Lennep Memorial Pace in Race 1 and ending with the black-smithing Cable Family Appreciation Pace in the 15th and long-time Publicist Allen Finkelson Memorial Pace in the 16th.

Fan favorites Wally Hennessey and Kevin Wallis were among the drivers of the sulkies appearing on the program along with many other trainers, drivers, and horse owners long associated with the facility. Acclaimed publicist and feature writer John Berry did poignant personal interviews in the Winners’ Circle after each race, and those in the crowd renewed old acquaintances.

All too soon, the final race ended. Big winner for the night was Wally Hennessy, who had ended his victory in the 15th by returning to the Winners’ Circle astounding the crowd by standing on his sulky as the horse strode toward the Winners’ Circle. Photographers snapped away! It was a triumphant farewell to a great sport that brought many of us to tears. We all applauded! And we applauded again in one final salute as Wally won the 16th final. An era had ended.

By Kathleen B. Dempsey