New barns open at Pompano

Horsemen at Pompano Park were celebrating Tuesday with the “christening” of three new barns on the racetrack backstretch. The celebration took place at 11 a.m. with a ribbon-cutting ceremony featuring Pompano Park’s all time winningest driver-trainer Bruce Ranger and his appropriately-named pacer: Eleven AM.

The newly-constructed barns were built at a cost of $1.7 million--about $10,000 per stall for the 170 horses that will be accommodated. Ranger is one of seven trainers who will be moving into the new barns.

“This is indeed a momentous occasion in bringing a state of the art environment to horses and horsemen.” Ranger said.

Doug Shipley, vice president of racino operations at Pompano Park, said, “No doubt, it’s a proud day and yet another step in our quest to make Pompano Park ‘simply the best’ in so many ways.”

Also joining the festivities were Mike Deters, president of the Florida Standardbred Breeders & Owners Association (FSBOA), Pompano Park stall superintendent Irene Cole, FSBOA treasurer Michael Eisenberg and Jane Murray, executive director of the FSBOA.

Since Hurricane Wilma caused such major damage to Pompano Park last October, the track has spent millions of dollars to repair and rebuild the race paddock, racing office, drivers' lounge, signage and the main building. The new casino at Pompano Park is expected to be open during the first quarter of 2007. (Pompano Park)

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