19 Straight Wins

[PrivateSmiles]

Yes, it's true.

http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20091003/SPORTS08/910030384/1002/SPORTS/Muscle+Hill+wins+Kentucky+Futurity

Muscle Hill Wins Kentucky Futurity

By Anne Charles Doolin • Special to The Courier-Journal • October 3, 2009

LEXINGTON, Ky. — There's no such thing as certainty in a horse race, but the outcome of Saturday's 117th Kentucky Futurity for 3-year-old trotters at the Red Mile was as about as close to one as you can get.

Muscle Hill, considered by many one of the top horses in harness history, came into the $600,000 Futurity riding a 17-race win streak. He left with 19 consecutive wins and only one career loss.

The son of Muscles Yankee has been favored in all 20 of his starts, and the Red Mile barred place and show betting on both of his races.

The Futurity requires a horse to win twice on the card. Muscle Hill, sent off at 1-9, had no trouble in his first heat, winning in a seemingly effortless 1:52.3.

Driver Brian Sears let him settle in third briefly after the start but soon took the lead, and they cruised to a 3¾-length score.

“He hears horses behind him, and picks it up on his own,” Sears said.

Explosive Matter was second and Broadway Bistro third.

Big Bikkies, driven by Ron Pierce, led every step in the other division to win by 2½ lengths in 1:53.2. Neighsay Hanover closed to finish second, with Dr McDreamy third.

Eight horses went to post for the final heat after two scratches. Sears wasted no time putting Muscle Hill, at 1-5, on the lead. At the quarter they were on top by four lengths, with Dr McDreamy staying close through the middle half-mile.

Muscle Hill found another gear and was on top by five as they turned for home and coasted to a 2½-length score in 1:51.1. He paid $2.10 to win. The 1-4 exacta with Explosive Matter returned $5.20.

Muscle Hill, who also won the Hambletonian for trainer Greg Peck, has one race left — the Breeders' Crown — before entering the stallion ranks at Southwind Farm in New Jersey.

“This was the first time he's gone two heats, and I'm very thankful it worked out,” Peck said. “…The way people regard him, he not only has to go out and As much as I hate to see him go, I know I'll get to train a lot of his babies.”

[PrivateSmiles]

What, no one cares about this feat?

[Triple Threat]

What, no one cares about this feat?

nope

[Masterp]

It's harness racing, there's like 12 people in the country who care about harness racing and 6 of them work for TVG.

In all seriousness, when we have an overexposed thoroughbred industry, the harness world isn't even going to matter or be a blip on the radar.

[PrivateSmiles]

Tough crowd.

[Srotagtbs]

He's got at least 1 more race in his career, maybe 2. If Eliminations are needed for the Breeders Crown he will run in 2 races (assuming he doesn't finish outside the required range to make the finals). No Elims, 1 last race.

http://www.ustrotting.com/absolutenm/anmviewer.asp?a=34055&z=1

[PrivateSmiles]

I think we are so fortunate to have so many truly great horses around, that we get to see race, even if it's not in person. I appreciate each & every one of them.

[JDinSD77]

Is Well Said going to be in the Cup race night? Him and the Muscle are two of the best in many years.

[PrivateSmiles]

Is Well Said going to be in the Cup race night? Him and the Muscle are two of the best in many years.

Somebeachsomewhere. C R Kay Suzie (or whoever her name is spelled). I love an outstanding sulky horse.