Pompano Beach, FL — Lucky Artist A, confidently handled by Mike Simons, took top honors in Pompano Park’s $11,500 Open I Handicap pace for mares on Tuesday night (Feb. 9), stopping the timer in a lifetime best 1:51.1.

Lucky Artist A captured Pompano Park’s feature for mares in a lifetime best 1:51.1. Dee Leftwich photo.

The 8-year-old daughter of Artistic Fella made a bold, first up bid on the backside, engaged in an all-out war with the favorite Crisp Mane (David Miller) during the final quarter and prevailed by a half-length over the latter on the wire, with the late charging Tempus Seelster (Joe Chindano Jr.) just another nose back in third. Ask Me Ifi Care was next with Prairie Westerngal picking up the nickel in the classy septet.

As the wings folded, Tempus Seelster left sharply from her six post into a quick early lead with Crisp Mane, leaving from post seven, on the prowl and taking command at the opening panel in :27 with Prairie Westerngal third and Lucky Artist A next.

Shortly after the half in a snappy :55.3, Simons tilted Lucky Artist A to the outside and sent her on a :26.4 backside blitz to engage Crisp Man in war at the third station in 1:23.1. In the lane, it was nip and tuck with Tempus Seelster also joining the fray in deep stretch with Lucky Artist A emerging on top when it counted — on the wire.

In a post-race interview, Simons related, “This was the first time I drove this mare and I knew she had talent because she’s been competitive in the top class before. On the backside, I thought ‘if I sit too long, I’ll get shuffled’ so I gave her a chance to go and she was really strong. Pretty impressive that she gained during a very quick third quarter and she didn’t give an inch. Very powerful performance, I would say.”

Trained by Jared Cooper (his first career win) for the Robert Cooper Stables, Lucky Artist A won for the 20th time in her career, sending her lifetime bounty to $140,936. As third choice in the wagering, Lucky Artist A paid $9.40 to win.

In the $10,000 Open II Pace for mares, Casie’s Believer, driven by Joe Chindano Jr., used a backstretch surge from fourth into the lead at the final bend and went on to a win measuring 3-3/4 lengths in a lifetime best mile of 1:51.1. Jazzy Image (David Miller) was second while Take Abit Of Life (Mike Simons) closed fastest of all to finish third. Image Of A Dream and Another Beach Day were next in the field of seven.

Casie’s Believer, a 6-year-old daughter of Betterthancheddar owned and trained by Chindano, earned her 15th career win — first this year — to send her lifetime bankroll to $108,234. As the 2-1 chalk, Casie’s Believer paid $6.20 to win.

Wally Hennessey had a driving triple on the Tuesday program with Trottin For Cash ($13.20), Glenferrie Blade A ($3.80) and Wild Nite Tina ($6.40) while David Miller and Corey Braden each had driving doubles on the card — Miller with Jaded Dream ($22.00) and She’s Sporty A ($11.40) and Braden with Gold Star Igotdis ($4.80) and Steal My Thunder ($9.40).

In another oddity of sorts, three Australian bred horses won back-to-back-to-back events — the aforementioned Glenferrie Blade A, Shes Sporty A and Lucky Artist A.

Racing continues on Wednesday night with a $15,000 guaranteed pool in the Pick-4 and a Super Hi-5 carryover of $3,803.42, Post time is set for 7:20 p.m.