Pompano Beach, FL — Muscles For Life, driven by Wally Hennessey, used his massive muscles on Tuesday (Dec. 7) at Pompano Park to score his first victory this fall in South Florida, tripping the timer in 1:54 in the $14,200 Open Handicap Trot.

Muscles For Life was a powerful winner in Pompano Park’s Open Handicap Trot on Tuesday. Jessica Hallett photo.

The 8-year-old son of Muscle Mass, assigned the outside post in a classy field, forged his way to the lead three-eighths into the mile after a seemingly somewhat stalled beginning and went on to score by three-parts of a length over The Lionking AS (Kevin Wallis), who was subsequently disqualified a spot for a pylon violation and awarded third as Sooo Handsome (Rick Plano), third in the original posting, was moved up a notch to second when the result was made official.

Coming off a pair of seconds chasing Toys For You in his first two starts here this fall, Muscles For Life didn’t have to deal with that nemesis this week and when the wings folded, both Celebrity Pegasus and The Lionking AS left with their usual alacrity leaving Hennessey with a decision to take back early, duck and spot the field or go forward. He chose the latter and after an early :27.4 war between the aforementioned duo, he decided to go forward and forged his way to the lead three-eighths in and sauntered over to the half in :56.3.

On the backside, Anchors Away went first up as The Lionking AS and Celebrity Pegasus sat chilly and reached within a length of the leader past the third station in 1:25. Once they straightened away, The Lionking AS breached a pylon while looking for a seam as Sooo Handsome was charging late but Muscles For Life was up to the task to score his ninth win of the year and 41st lifetime.

After the race, Hennessey said, “Sometimes you have to make split second decisions and knowing how nice this horse is, I decided to go for the gusto. It was kind of like putting your foot on the gas, then the brakes, and the gas again. He’s that handy of a horse as some horses won’t re-start once you put your foot on the brake. He was very good tonight.”

Trained by Maurice Goldschmidt Jr. for Jarold Hawks, Muscles For Life sent his 2021 bankroll to $87,570 and $435,665 career-wise.

In kicking off the Pick-4 with that $75,000 guaranteed pool and subsequent record pool of more than $127,000 ($111,200 new money on top of a $16,398 carryover), the 3-5 favorite didn’t disappoint and was one of three favorites in the Pick-4 sequence with a 3-1 second choice capturing the finale.

The win was just one in a hat trick night for Hennessey as he also guided Joey Pro and J-S Jasper to wins as well.

Joey Pro took top honors in the $11,000 Open III Trot in 1:55.4 for trainer John Hallett, who conditions for owner Mark Wamp while J-S Jasper stretched his winning streak to three since his arrival in South Florida in a conditioned event in 1:56.2 — the latter trained by Joe Pavia Jr. for Jeffrey Hess, John Whitig and Joe Pavia Jr. Stable.

The $12,600 Open II Trot went to BJ Lorado, handled by Tyler Jones. This 7-year-old gelded son of Bo W led at every pole, repelling a severe threat from Party Boy Hanover (Hennessey) around the final turn and through the lane to score by a neck in 1:55.4. Trix And Stones (Joe Sanzeri) was third.

Trained by Marc Major for Michael and Diane Norcross, BJ Lorado pushed his 2021 scorecard to 9-3-12 in 42 starts, good for $70,336. His lifetime earnings now stand at $239,244 to go along with 33 career wins. He paid $4.60 as the favorite.

The fastest mile of the night was achieved by Island Beach Boy (1:51.1) for John MacDonald, in the bike for trainer Marcel Barrieau and owners F. Ian Smith and Arnold Hagen. The altered 3-year-old son of Somebeachsomewhere paced his final half a shade under :55 to better his former mark set one week ago.

Racing continues on Wednesday with a $15,000 guaranteed pool in the Pick-4 and a ballooning Super Hi-5 jackpot. Post time is set for 7:20 p.m.