Closing curtain Sunday at Pompano Park

Pompano Beach, FL, April 18, 2022 – Well, 58 years of harness racing history is in the books!

The final chapter has been written about Pompano Park and it was done so under full moon skies, the biggest on-track crowd in years and a handle of $1,430,824, the third largest in history.

The script was filled with such emotion that tears were streaming freely–probably enough to make a fast track sloppy…but that, of course, didn’t happen.

Highlights numbered in the hundreds but, by necessity, culled down to include Tom Merriman and Bill Popfinger, both participants in the Pomp’s first season in 1964, track record holder Panocchio’s win on closing night, some seven seasons after his 1:48.3 track record performance and another grand slam by Pompano Park’s all-time leading driver, Wally Hennessey.

In between were tributes to many of the people that made this 58-year run possible–from track founders Fred and Frances Dodge Van Lennep to 60-year employee Charlie Adams, who helped keep the track in tip-top operating shape, to name a couple.

Merriman, who campaigned the 2:00 pacer Philip Brian during the opening season, kicked things off by leading the post parade for the opening pari-mutuel race while Popfinger, who, of course, was in the winner’s circle on many occasions in 1964, capped it off with a win on closing night with Queen Me Again in the “Send It In Special Invitational.”

There were no less than three $16,200 Isle Mile I events but the most emotional was when Panocchio, now 12 and six seasons past his track record prime season, won in 1:51.3, his fastest winning performance in over three years.

Seeing driver Wally Hennessey standing up in the sulky returning through victory lane for owners Jim and Vicki Mattison (Emile Johnson, Jr. also shares ownership) had those waiting in the winner’s circle covering a rainbow of emotions from cheers to tears.

Panocchio achieved his 53rd win at Pompano and 77th lifetime in sending his lifetime earnings to $688,958. To say that Panocchio has changed the lives of the Mattisons is, quite purely, an understatement.

Reflecting on Panocchio on this night, co-owner Vicki Mattison said, “This horse has been a blessing in our lives. I almost think he knew that tonight was a special night to perform like that! Nothing really surprises me about him!”

The trio of $16.200 Isle I events were won by Ourlittlemiracle, Max and Agedchedar Hanover, respectively, with Ourlittlemiracle a 16 to 1 up-setter in the opener for pacing mares with David Miller, Max, also handled by Miller, a popular 1 to 2 winner in the “Open” trot, and Agedchedar Hanover enjoying a perfect trip for John MacDonald to win the top pace at 11 to 1 in 1:51, a new lifetime mark, for JIm McDonald, who trains for owner-wife Dona.

Said Miller after his win with Max, “You think I would miss a historical moment like this? Never! It’s very emotional, yes, but, to me, to participate ere at Pompano Park has been one of my career highlights…very memorable!”

The Florida Amateur Driving Club also had three events on the 19 race program with For A Dreamer, Mr. Houdini and Broadway Bruiser reaching the charmed circle.

For A Dreamer scored in 1:56.2 for owner Billy Muggleston with that Allen Saul trainee scoring his 23rd lifetime victory. It was a milestone 100th career win for Muggleston, a former helicopter pilot for Herve Filion.

Mr. Houdini, trained by John Mungillo for Jamie Marra Racing earned his 20th career win enabling driver Jamie Marra to get his 79th lifetime success in the sulky.

Broadway Bruiser, teamed up with Dein Spriggs for owner-trainer Edgar Clarke, brushed from fourth halfway through the mile, avoiding a scorching :56.3 half, and went on to score in 1:59.1 for his 17th win in this milestone 150th career start.

Spriggs is edging closer to 500 career wins–this one number 498, including five wins overseas.

Joe Chindano, Jr. had a driving triple on this closing night, scoring with Lucky Sevens ($26.20), Muskingum ($5.80) and Mittnage A Trois ($8.20) while Bryce Fenn, Kevin Wallis, Jody Jamieson, MIke Micallef and Corey Braden also reached the winner’s circle on this historic night.

Wally Hennessey was the leading driver for the Pompano meeting with 196 wins, winning at a 27% clip, with David Miller next at 93–his win percentage over 20%. Rick Plano, Braxton Boyd and Joe Chindano, Jr. were next.

Plano was the leading trainer with 73 wins and $554,716 in purses–his winning percentage an astounding 29.32%. Mike Deters (35 wins–$342,619) was next with Tee Wine (30), Frankie Bambrick (30) and Jim McDonald )30) in a dead-heat for third.

After the racing festivities were complete, a Pompano Park Farewell video was shown on the infield mega-tron to a large crowd encompassing the winner’s circle and racetrack…just as the moon was being covered by some fluffy, harmless white clouds, which marked the end of 58 years of history.