Muscle Hill wins Futurity Final in 1:51.1

The final heat of the 117th edition of the Kentucky Futurity turned into a case of "Catch me if you can" as Muscle Hill protected his rail starting position and led at every quarter-mile call before exploding to an open-lengths victory in 1:51.1 Saturday afternoon at The Red Mile.

 

Driver Brian Sears and Muscle Hill left from post one, and surprisingly the Illinois trotter Dr. McDreamy left strong from post seven and got in the pocket behind Muscle Hill. Muscle Hill hit the quarter in :27, then motored to the half in :54.3, with Dr. McDreamy staying close in the pocket.

 

Going to the three-quarter mark, Sears kept Muscle Hill in high gear. They hit the three-quarter station in 1:23.4 and it was obvious there would be no serious challenge to Muscle Hill in the stretch drive. The colt won by 2 1/2 lengths with his :27.2 final quarter, with Explosive Matter settling for runner-up honors once again.

 

The complete order of finish is as follows: Muscle Hill, Explosive Matter (2), Tom Cango (3), Broadway Bistro (4), Neighsay Hanover (5), Dr. McDreamy (6).

 

Muscle Hill is owned by Jerry Silva, Tom and Lou Pontone's TLP Stable, Southwind Farm and Muscle Hill Racing. He has now won all 11 of his starts this season and the Futurity victory boosted his 2009 bankroll over $2 million.