Johnny Muscles returns Wed.

Johnny Muscles, a sophomore stakes winner in 2006, makes his 4-year-old debut amongst a field of eight trotters that will line up behind the gate for Wednesday’s $5,500 featured trot at Pompano Park, which goes as the third race.

Owned by Arden Homestead Stable, Thomas Bertmark and Atos Lombardini, Johnny Muscles closed out his sophomore campaign with $94,000 in seasonal earnings, highlighted by a win in the $90,900 Historic-Dickerson Cup at the Meadowlands where he trotted the mile in a lifetime-best 1:54.4.

In addition to that performance, Johnny Muscles also competed in several prestigious events as a 3 year old, including the $530,00 World Trotting Derby, the $526,000 Kentucky Futurity, the $350,000 Stanley Dancer Memorial Trot final, and the $209,250 Matron Series final at Dover Downs where he finished fourth.

Johnny Muscles qualified at Pompano on March 9, winning his heat by 23 lengths when covering the mile in 1:57.2. The son of Muscles Yankee has drawn post eight for his 4-year-old debut and will be driven by Wally Hennessey for trainer Jan Johnson.

The 6-year-old trotting mare Express Messenger, owned by Stable 45 of Hauppauge, N.Y., is scheduled to challenge Johnny Muscles for Wednesday night supremacy at Pompano.

Despite having just one victory from six appearances in 2007, Express Messenger has visited the winner’s circle in 10 of her last 19 outings at Pompano Park, including a half-length victory two starts ago when making her return to South Florida after campaigning in the north.

Last season, the daughter of Carry The Message earned $73,836 while winning nine times, including a lifetime best mile of 1:54.4 at the Meadowlands on July 20.

Express Messenger starts for trainer Jake Huff and will have Bruce Ranger at the lines on Wednesday.

Other notables in the field include Lori Louise, a 9-year-old mare that has a career bankroll of $326,108, and Modern Marvel, a two-time winner this year that exits a second-place performance. (Pompano Park)

« Back