Pompano Beach, FL — Crisp Mane and Muscles For Life took top honors in their respective Open Handicap events on Tuesday (March 30) at Pompano Park, each winner handled by the two leading drivers at the track.

Crisp Mane, the splendid 5-year-old daughter of Sportswriter, eked out a close win in the $11,500 Open Handicap for mares and was driven by Hall of Famer David Miller. She went grinding her way from fourth halfway through the mile to the lead around the final bend before holding off the serious late surge of Casie’s Believer (Joe Chindano Jr.) by a head in 1:52.2. Persistent Bettor (Kevin Wallis) was third.

Crisp Mane held off the serious late surge of Casie’s Believer by a head in 1:52.2. Dee Leftwich photo.

As the wings folded, a battle developed for early supremacy as Persistent Bettor and Prairie Westerngal both left with alacrity with Tempus Seelster also joining the fray with the latter reaching the top spot a stride past the :26.2 opener. Meanwhile, Crisp Mane, settling into fourth early, was on the move after a half in :55.1. Gnawing her third panel in :27.3, Crisp Mane stuck her head in front at that third station in 1:23.3 with she and Tempus Seelster stride for stride until mid-stretch when Crisp Mane edged clear only to face a final lunge by Casie’s Believer that fell short by a head.

Said Miller after the event, “Crisp Mane is more of a grinder than a sprinter and I was very happy with the way she raced.”

Trained by David’s daughter, Devan, for owner Sylvia Burke, Crisp Mane won for the third time this year, sending her scorecard to 3-2-5 in 11 starts, good for $30,460 and $228,390 lifetime. As the slight second choice at 8-5, Crisp Mane paid $5.40 to win.

A bit of luck played into Muscle For Life’s win in the $11,000 Open Handicap for trotters as this 8-year-old son of Muscle Mass slipped through along the pylons to out-kick Born To Thrive (Rick Plano) by a neck in 1:53.4. Burn Notice (Kevin Wallis) finished third.

Muscles For Life left with his usual alertness along with In Secret, who took charge midway around the initial turn and posted panels of :27.2, :55.4 and 1:24.3. Turning for home, In Secret made a rare miscue, leaving Muscles For Life the opportunity to slip on through and on to victory — his fourth in eight starts — sending his 2021 bounty to $29,820 and $377,915 lifetime for the Steve Oldford trainee owned by Jarold Hawks.

“There was a little bit of luck involved there, too,” said winning driver Wally Hennessey, “as a seam opened up after David’s horse (In Secret) made that break and I was able to sneak through.”

Off at 6-5 on the board, Muscles For Life paid $4.60 to his multitude of faithful.

In the $10,000 Open II Trot, Sooo Handsome, driven by Rick Plano for owner Maryann Plano, enjoyed a perfect trip in the garden spot and went on to score a handy 3-1/4 length win in 1:54.3 for his first win of the year in 13 starts.

The 8-year-old gelded son of Cash Hall let Stick With Me Kid (Hennessey) cut the mustard through fractions of :27.4, :57.2 and 1:26.1 before his solid :28.1 final sealed the deal. Boinganator (Wallis) finished third.

Sooo Handsome now has banked $347,575 lifetime. He paid $2.60 as the 1-5 toteboard favorite.

Also of note, Maryann Plano’s Flagman, again handled by trainer-driver Rick, extended his undefeated streak to four in 2021 with a lifetime best 1:53.2 performance in an $8,000 conditioned event. The 4-year-old gelded son of Guccio began his season just a month ago with a qualifying win in 1:56.2 and since has ripped off four straight wins — this one by 12 lengths. He paid $2.60 to win.

Racing continues on Thursday night with two Send It In Invitational events, highlighted by a mandatory payout in the track’s Super Hi-5 finale, which has a carryover of $130,623.44.

Said Director of Racing Gabe Prewitt, “This is a bonanza for our faithful as this pool could very well swell to over $300,000.”

Post time is set for 7:20 p.m. for this final Thursday of the meeting.