Casies Believer and Muscles For Life were victorious as Pompano Park offered twin $11,500 features on Tuesday night (April 6).
Casies Believer, handled by Joe Chindano, Jr., took top honours in the Open Handicap for the pacing mares as she found a seam turning for home to rally by a stubborn Ask Me Ifi Care in 1:52.4. Tempus Seelster rallied for third, one-and-a-half lengths away while Roll With Angel paced an evenly rated mile from the pylons to finish fourth. Persistent Bettor picked up the final award in the field of seven.
At the outset, Roll With Angel left well from the inside as Casies Believer was sent launching from post 7, taking command at the opening marker in :27.2. Shortly thereafter, Ask Me Ifi Care made a move to the top three-eighths in and took the field to the half in :56.1. On the backside, Evas Sports Czech made a first-up bid and reached second, a length away from the lead, with Casies Believer looking for room to pace past the third station in 1:24.3.
Turning for home, Casies Believer found that seam and started gnawing away, edging by in the final few strides.
In a post-race interview, driver Joe Chindano said, “She [Casies Believer] had been knocking on the door the last few starts from off the pace, so I decided I'd try something different from this outside post because I didn't want to be seven or eight lengths back early. After we made the top, we got some cover and then we had to be patient--and I'm not really a patient kind of guy--waiting for something to open up. She sure responded and that was a great mile for her being used at both ends."
For Casies Believer, a six-year-old daughter of Betterthancheddar, it was her third win of the year with her scorecard reading a consistent 3-5-1 in 12 starts, good for $34,015 for Chindano, who is owner-trainer.
Off at 2-1 as second choice, Casies Believer paid $6.00 to win.
In the companion for Open Trotters, Muscles For Life, driven by Wally Hennessey, put some daylight at the start on his main rival Toys For You and went on to score a win measuring three-parts-of-a-length in 1:54.1, this after posting number of :27.3, :57.1 and 1:26.1. The Lionking As was third, two-and-three-quarter lengths away, while Evs Girl was fourth. The nickel went to Burn Notice in this septet.
As the wings folded, The Lionking As and Muscles For Life were fastest out while Toys For You, a son of Airzoom Lindy, did anything but “zoom” as he took back unhurried and some eight lengths off the leader at the opening quarter.
Positions remained virtually unchanged until Toys For You began his charge on the backside, reaching third and less than two lengths away around the final bend.
Even though Toys For Us closed fastest of all, the line came soon enough for Muscles For Life to score his third straight win for trainer Steve Oldford and owner Jarold Hawks.
The victory was No. five in eight starts for the eight-year-old son of Muscle Mass and sent his 2021 bankroll to $35,570. He's banked $383,665 lifetime to go along with 37 wins.
Off at a dime to a dollar, Muscles For Life paid $2.20 to win.
Racing continues on a Sunday-Monday-Tuesday schedule through April with closing night scheduled for May 2.
Post time remains at 7:20 p.m. (EDT).
(Pompano Park)