Tweedle Dum in 1:53.2

Tweedle Dum, whose name is already etched in the Pompano Park record books after winning 21 races last year, tied the world record for older geldings on a five-eighths mile track and became the fastest trotter in the Pompano’s 43-year history, winning the $15,000 Mack Lobell Preview Friday night in 1:53.2.

Driven from post three by Walter Ross, Jr., Tweedle Dum emerged from an early three-horse skirmish with the lead as the field entered the first turn, and once the gelding was clear and trotting comfortably along the rail, the race was essentially over.

The son of Star Challenge trotted the opening quarter mile in :27.1 before catching a breather with a :29.2 second panel to reach the half-mile marker in :56.3.

With little pressure coming from his rivals, Tweedle Dum passed the three-quarters split in 1:24.3, and opened up a 7-length lead at the head of the stretch. He continued to extend that margin through the wire, prevailing by 9 ¾ lengths.

“You always worry when you’re in a horse race and I know you can get beat,” winning trainer Gordon Norris said from the winner’s circle, “but when he got out in front and was doing it easily, I thought we had it made.”

Since finishing ninth in the 2006 Mack Lobell Trot Final, Tweedle Dum has visited the winner’s circle in 21 of 25 starts and set the Pompano track record for seasonal wins last year with 21. He also co-held the previous all-age Pompano Park track record of 1:53.3 with Hellava Hush.

“He’s a miracle horse,” Norris said. “He had broken bones when we got him, we had him operated on, and he’s come back sound. We got the job done. He just loves to race and I love to see him race.”

With his victory on Friday, Tweedle Dum equaled the world record currently held by Victory Tilly (2000 – Sweden) and Abbey Road C (2004) of 1:53.2. The gelding is owned by Diane Norris and Alfred Brotter of Pompano Beach.

All About Maggie prevailed in the secondary feature on the Friday Pompano program, a $10,000 Fillies and Mares Open Handicap Pace. Driven by Matthew Kakaley, All About Maggie paced the mile in 1:52.1 to set a new lifetime mark for the 7-year-old daughter of Cam’s Magic.

Owned by Rene Nadon of Pompano Beach, and trained by Richard Lauzon, All About Maggie has visited the winner’s circle in three of her last six starts, and her Friday victory pushed her over the $100,000 mark in career earnings.

Saturday night at Pompano Park will feature 12 live races, including the $20,000 Isle of Capri Pace Preview, headlined by He Wants It All. In addition, Vincent Silvestro and his amazing horse Hand Me Silver will perform their unique Hot to Trot Fireworks Stunt Show for the Pompano crowd.

Post time for the live racing program is 7:25 p.m. with the fireworks show scheduled to begin after the sixth race.

Pompano Park will be closed for simulcasting on Super Bowl Sunday. (Pompano Park)

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