6,000 wins for Ranger

Bruce Ranger, the winningest driver in the history of Pompano Park, scored his 6,000th career win Wednesday night, guiding the unbeaten 3-year-old gelding Elvis Cole to victory in the seventh race. Ranger, 45, is now ranked 30th in the history of harness racing for dashes won.



Last year Ranger was ranked sixth in the nation in victories. During his career the Maine native has won 10 driving and training titles at Pompano Park. He has won $21 million in purses with the horses he had driven.



"I have been very fortunate during my career." Ranger said. "And this is one of my greatest highlights. I have to thank a lot of people who have given me the opportunity to drive and train their horses over the years and to the management of Pompano Park. If not for all of them I don't think I would ever have reached 6,000 wins."



Ranger, who learned the trade from his uncle, respected Maine horseman Loring Norton, started his driving career in 1978 with six starts and no wins.



"I do remember that first season." Ranger said. "Three of those horses made breaks, the other three had trouble keeping up with the starting gate."



But over the year Ranger developed into one of the top drivers in the sport, winning titles not only at Pompano Park, but Rockingham Park and Plainridge Racecourse. He was the 1981 Outstanding Youth Award winner Maine and in 2003 was inducted into the Florida US Harness Writers Hall of Fame.



Ranger started off the evening winning the first race and then captured the fourth and fifth as well.



Pompano Park management announced in the winner's circle presentation that a check in the amount of $600 would be donated on behalf of Bruce Ranger to his favorite charity, Children, Hope and Horses of Palm Beach County. The non-profit organization works with abused and emotionally troubled children providing a hands-on program with horses.

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