Tough Challenger and driver John Campbell got up in the final strides to win the $52,000 Mr. Muscleman final on Friday night at Meadowlands Racetrack.
Tough Challenger settled into fourth place early on, cruising behind the leaders for much of the race. After hitting the half-mile marker in :57:1, Take My Picture charged up the outside and inherited the lead from an offstride Oh No It's Steveo. Tough Challenger chased down Take My Picture past the three-quarters and the two horses battled stride-for-stride down to the wire. Tough Challenger pulled through to win by a neck in 1:55.4 and paid $9 to win.
"I settled in fourth on the rail and didn't have to move him until just past the half," Campbell said."I was able to follow Andy Miller and that horse raced really well last week (Take My Picture) and I knew he was one of the ones to beat.
"He took me right into the stretch and he was difficult to get by, but we were able to grind him down," he added.
Tough Challenger has now won nine of 12 career starts and $88,525. The 3-year-old You Betcha colt is owned by Nanticoke Racing Inc., of Seaford, Del. and James Morand of Dover, Del..
The second leg of the New Jersey Sire Stakes for 3-year-old filly pacers was contested earlier in the evening. Naughtytiltheend, driven by Tim Tetrick, nipped the pacesetter Full Picture at the wire to win the $35,600 first division in a swift 1:51.1. An $80,000 yearling purchase at the Lexington Selected Sale, she is by Western Ideal out of millionairess and Breeders Crown champion Cam Swifty. Mark Harder trains Naughtytiltheend for Mark Winship of Canton, Ill. and Peter Spaeth of Las Vegas, Nev.
BJ's Mayreau turned in a game first-over effort to win the $35,600 second division in 1:52 with Brian Sears in the sulky. The daughter of Artsplace-Dream Catcher is now perfect in two career starts for trainer Jeff Webster. Owner Brian Nixon of Centerport, N.Y. purchased the filly as a yearling for $15,000 at Harrisburg.
The $200,000 New Jersey Sire Stakes Championship for 3-year-old colt and filly pacers is Saturday, May 29. (Meadowlands)
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