This season has seen some surprises, some upsets and some disappointments but most importantly has seen the incredible rise in popularity of harness pony racing. This, the second season since the re-emergence of pony racing in Bermuda, has seen number of ponies and crowds triple.

There are now some 23 ponies eligible to race locally, although lameness or health problems have taken some ponies off the track for periods of time.

Presently four young Bermuda-bred racing ponies are being broken in to harness, two of which will be making their debuts next season.

An active breeding programme in Bermuda is a distinct possibility now with some of the top stallions in North America presently in Bermuda, as well as some very well-bred and fast mares.

Plans are under way to bring in more ponies this year, with four currently waiting to be shipped within the next two weeks. These four ponies are from the Sunshine Raceway in Florida. Michael DeCosta, owner of Nateway, will be bringing Eddie the Great to Bermuda at the end of September.

Eddie the Great was the top two-year-old in the US last season and this season will be competing in the three-year stakes races in North America and Canada and will be definite competition for Nateway.

The times on the Vesey Street track are getting faster and faster. JB's Hurry Home `J', driven by Edward Roque, held the track record for six months at 1:12. Michael DeCosta's Nateway took the record in 1:11/2 and the next race day broke it again in 1:10/4 and last race day broke it again.

The record now stands at an incredible 1:09/1. Meanwhile the race for most points for the season is underway with Ell Dee's Uncle Bud currently in the lead, closely followed by Sandacre Tashiba. Sunday will tell who will emerge as top pacer and top trotter and who will be the top racing pony for the season.

The ponies and drivers will be getting a well-deserved rest this summer and training will resume in August for the start of the new season on September 12.

SNOOKER SNO National Sports Club won this year's snooker league play-offs with a 3-0 win over Second Division champions Sandys Sports Club.

Mike Tatem started it off for Nationals, making a 15-break in a 63-20 win over Gary Skinner. Tyler Moniz then made it two straight by crushing Anthony DeSilva 72-30, including a 15-break of his own. Then Tony DeSilva completed the whitewash with a 62-22 win over this year's Second Division phenomenon Roger (Sticks) Henderson.

Nationals kept their string of championships alive by having won the First Division in league play the last two years as well as last summer's Super Six title.

DARTS DRT The Bermuda Open Darts Championships is set to take begin on Monday at BAA (8.30 p.m.). The defending champion is Gregor McQueen.