Casie’s Believer, Muscles For Life win twin features at Pompano

Pompano Beach, FL — Casie’s Believer and Muscles For Life were victorious as Pompano Park offered twin $11,500 features on Tuesday night (April 6).

Casie’s Believer, handled by Joe Chindano Jr., took top honors in the Open Handicap for the pacing mares as she found a seam turning for home and used a :28 final panel in rallying by a stubborn Ask Me Ifi Care (Mike Micallef) in 1:52.4. Tempus Seelster (Dave Ingraham) rallied for third, 1-1/2 lengths away.

Casie’s Believer rallied late to capture the Open Handicap for pacing mares on Tuesday. Dee Leftwich photo.

At he outset, Roll With Angel left well from the inside as Casie’s Believer was sent launching from her outside seven post, taking command at the opening marker in :27.2. Shortly thereafter, Ask Me Ifi Care made a quarter 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, with Casie’s Believer looking for room to roam past the third station in 1:24.3. Turning for home, Casie’s 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 (Casie’s 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 Casie’s Believer, a 6-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 also the owner-trainer. Off at 2-1 as second choice, Casie’s 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 Toy’s For You (Rick Plano) and went on to score a win measuring three-parts of a length over that one in 1:54.1, this after posting numbers of :27.3, :57.1 and 1:26.1. The Lionking AS (Kevin Wallis) was third, 2-3/4 lengths away.

As the wings folded, The Lionking AS and Muscles For Life were fastest out while Toy’s For You took back unhurried and was some eight lengths off the leader at the opening quarter. Positions remained virtually unchanged until Toy’s For You began his charge on the backside, reaching third and less than two lengths away around the final bend. Even though Toy’s For Us closed fastest of all — :27.3 — 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 number five in nine starts for the 8-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.

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