Muscle Hill, Big Bikkies win Futurity elims

Muscle Hill coasted to a 1:52.3 victory in the second of two eliminations of the $600,000 Kentucky Futurity for 3-year-old colt trotters on a sunshine-filled-but-windy Saturday afternoon at The Red Mile. Big Bikkies led from gate to wire to win the first elim.

 

With 13 entered, two elims were needed, with the top five in each returning for the second heat. The first elim had a field of six but longshot Windshear was scratched "sick" so all five starters had a ticket to advance before they lined up behind the gate.

 

Brian Sears directed Muscle Hill to the victory, the 18th straight for the son of Muscles Yankee ove his two-year career. Sears was caught three wide early with Muscle Hill before dropping in third behind the leading Explosive Matter and Russell Hill. As the quarter was passed in :28, Sears sent Muscle Hill to the outside and the Hambletonian champion rushed up toward the leading Explosive Matter and driver Ron Pierce.

 

Muscle Hill was able clear the lead by the :55.1 half, and then reached the three quarters firmly in control in 1:24.1 before closing out the win with a final quarter of :28. Explosive Matter held for second with Broadway Bistro and George Brennan third. Russell Hill finished fourth and Hot Shot Blue Chip fifth to advance to the second heat.

 

"He makes my job so easy," Sears said in the winner's circle about Muscle Hill, a son of Muscles Yankee trained by Greg Peck for owners Jerry Silva, TLP Stable, Southwind Farm and Muscle Hill Racing. With his 10th win in as many starts this year, Muscle Hill's seasonal earnings now top $1.9 million.

 

With Muscle Hill such a prohibitive favorite, there was no place or show wagering. However, more than $36,000 of the total $39,000 in the win pool was wagered on Muscle Hill to prompt a small minus pool.

 

Pierce was in the sulky behind Big Bikkies as he easily crossed over from post four to the lead before the :27.1 opening quarter in the second elim. Big Bikkies still had the lead at the :56 half with Airzoom Lindy, Tom Cango, Dr. McDreamy and Neighsay Hanover lined up behind the odds-on favorite. Shortly past the half Mike Lachance tipped Tom Cango to the outside and ranged up alongside the leader, and the two were side by side at the 1:25.1 three quarters.

 

Big Bikkies remained game through the lane and trotted home in :28.1 for the 1:53.2 victory. Neighsay Hanover rallied down the middle of the stretch to finish second for Trond Smedsammer, followed by the Homer Hochstetler-driven Dr. McDreamy. Tom Cango settled for fourth, with Airzoom Lindy and Tim Tetrick fifth.

 

Noel Daley trains the winning son of Windsong's Legacy for owner Adam Victor & Son Stable.

 

Muscle Hill drew post one in the second heat, with Big Bikkies starting from post two. Although Pierce won his elim with Big Bikkies, he will drive second-elim runner-up Explosive Matter in the second heat, with Jim Morrill Jr. picking up the drive on Big Bikkies. Only eight will line up behind the gate as Airzoom Lindy and Russell Hill have both been scratched.