Skip To My Lou, driven by owner-trainer Joe Chindano, Jr., pushed his 2021 bankroll close to $50,000 with a sharp 1:52.1 score at Pompano Park on Monday (April 26).

The occasion was the $13,000 Open Handicap Pace and Chindano gave Skip To My Lou crafty handling to out-kick Ideal Feeling (Kevin Wallis) in the final 16th to score by a length. Kinnder Jackson (Ken Holliday) used a ground-saving journey to finish third while Lyons Night Hawk was next over Saulsbrook Deputy. Prairie Panther made a miscue at the beginning to lose all chance in this classy million-dollar sextet.

As the wings folded, Kinnder Jackson (Post 1) left well with Ideal Feeling (Post 6) while Skip To My Lou (Post 5) took a couple of seconds to decide whether to hide or go forward -- choosing the latter, smartly brushing forward to find a cozy spot back of Ideal Feeling around the initial turn and through fractions of :26.3, :55.4 and 1:24.3. He remained clear from the backside bid of Saulsbrook Deputy as that one mildly brushed forward on the backside.

Midway around the final bend, Chindano sent Skip To My Lou from his cozy pocket, started gnawing away and pulled on even terms once they straightened away, drawing clear in the late stages.

After the race, Chindano related, "When the gate sprung, it took a second or two to see what might be going on and, with Kevin's horse (Ideal Feeling) leaving outside of me, I decided to try and find a spot behind him -- that would be the best thing for him as he can really pounce when asked. Just one tug on the right line and he responded like he always does. He might not always win...but he puts his head down and tries every step."

The tiny (14 hands) five year-old gelded son of Sweet Lou won for the seventh time in 13 starts this semester with his earnings for the year now at $49,030.

Since his arrival at Pompano Park as the season began in November, Skip To My Lou has banked $62,660 while taking a lifetime mark of 1:49 in early February. He's banked $161,111 lifetime.

Off at even money on the tote-board, Skip To My Lou paid $4.00 to win.

Chindano, by the way, had a driving triple on the Monday card, also scoring with Millennial ($3.60) and Just N Berlander ($13.80).

The $11,000 Open II Pace went to War N Munn, driven by owner-trainer Kevin Wallis, in 1:51.

The eight year-old son of Stonebridge Regal left well from Post 5 and found a spot in third before marking forward to take over after a :27 opener and then posting hot numbers of :54.4 and 1:22.4 before a :28.1 closer was good enough to gold off the late-surging Mach West (Wally Hennessey) by a half-length. Villiam (Joe Chindano, Jr.) was third while Agedchedar Hanover finished fourth. Darlings Dragon picked up the nickel in the septet.

War N Munn, winless through March this year, has now won three of his past four starts with his earnings for the year now at $25,091. His lifetime bounty vaulted to $426,327 lifetime with this win -- his 31st career-wise.

Harness racing continues on Tuesday as Pompano Park presents twin features -- the first featuring pacing mares in the $13,000 Open and the next one the $12,500 Open Trot.

The event for pacing mares pits Casies Believer, Tempus Seelster and Prairie Westerngal, who finished 1-2-3 in their last event, against a quartet of others looking to spoil the show and produce an upset.

The Open Trot has Enzio looking for a repeat win with The Lionking AS and Stick With Me Kid looming as the main competition.

The track will also offer another $20,000 guarantee of its Pick-4 with that "bettor-friendly" 12 percent takeout in place.

The Super Hi-5 jackpot has ballooned to $15,640.61 for the Tuesday card with post time set for 7:20 p.m.

(Pompano Park)