There are only 10 days until the eliminations for the $1.5 million Hambletonian at the Meadowlands Racetr

ack. Muscle Hill entered 2009 as the likely favourite and has done nothing to spoil that notion, winning all three of his starts this season and posting the year’s fastest mile – 1:52.1 – in winning a division of the Stanley Dancer Memorial on July 17.

Following is a look at Muscle Hill and several other contenders for the most desired prize in trotting.

Muscle Hill won his Dancer division by six lengths over Explosive Matter. He has won his three starts this year, including the New Jersey Sire Stakes championship, by a total of 14-1/4 lengths. Last season, Muscle Hill won the Breeders Crown, Peter Haughton Memorial, New Jersey Sire Stakes, and divisions of the Bluegrass and International Stallion stakes.

The colt is trained by Greg Peck, driven by Brian Sears and owned by Jerry Silva, TLP Stable, Southwind Farm, and Muscle Hill Racing. He has won 11 consecutive races since beginning his career with a second-place finish (beaten by a neck by Homer Jay) in a preliminary leg of the New Jersey Sire Stakes. He has earned $1.03 million.

“He’s so mature and aware of what you’re trying to accomplish out there. He never fights you,” Sears said. “His manners have been perfect all along. It makes it so much easier for me to do my job. He knows where we’re trying to be at the end of the mile. The good ones have it. This horse has got a great head on him.
“We got a good mile in him (in the Dancer). He should be, knock on wood, ready to go. It was pretty effortless. He did it pretty in hand. But there are some nice colts out there. We’re going to have to use him eventually.”

Federal Flex won his Stanley Dancer Memorial division from Post 9 by 5-1/2 lengths over Mr Cantab in 1:53.3 over a surface labeled “good” following rain that developed late during the July 17 card. Federal Flex, like Muscle Hill, is unbeaten in three races this year and won the Goodtimes Stakes at Mohawk Racetrack on June 27. Last year, he won the Valley Victory and a division of the Champlain. He was third in the Breeders Crown.

He is driven by Jody Jamieson, who owns the colt with trainer Jeff Gillis and Ken Henwood, Al Libfeld and Marvin Katz. Federal Flex has won eight of 12 lifetime races and earned $729,934.

“I was real happy with him (in the Dancer),” Jamieson said. “He had tons of finish. He cemented our belief for sure that he’s a real great horse. We’re just looking forward to getting to the Hambletonian elims and trying to get to the final. Hopefully, we can make our own luck from there. I think we looked pretty good.

“Muscle Hill is a great horse and Explosive Matter went a great trip too after making a break. If we’re only third best in the three-year-old trotting colt division, that’s pretty nice. We’re aiming to beat them all, but we’re not going to set our expectations too high. We’re just going to let the horse do the talking.”

Explosive Matter was second to Muscle Hill in his Dancer division despite going off stride while moving to the front from Post 7 at the start of the race and spotting the leaders 16 lengths. He was timed in 1:53.2, with a :27.3 final quarter-mile (the same split as Muscle Hill). According to the chart, he trotted the final three-quarters of a mile in a snappy 1:22.4. Explosive Matter has won two of four races this year, including a division of the Historic-Dickerson Cup and a leg in the Pennsylvania Sire Stakes.

The colt is driven by Ron Pierce, trained by Noel Daley and owned by the Adam Victor & Son Stable. Last season, Explosive Matter won the Matron Stakes and was second in the Breeders Crown. He has won seven of 10 career races and earned $434,910.

“He just stubbed his foot and put in a step,” Daley said about the Dancer. "I was real happy with the way he recovered and chased (Muscle Hill) down. That answered my question. Muscle Hill is obviously the horse to beat, but now I know I can race him. He’s got to be right on his game, but if he’s right on his game I think athletically he’ll give (Muscle Hill) a run for his money.

“Mentally I was always just a little worried with him, but (in the Dancer) he showed he’s right up there. He did something wrong and corrected himself. He’s been in a really good zone and has had a good attitude of late. He’s feeling bright. It was a hard run, but he seems all right. He’s heading in the right direction. It’s fun to be there knowing that you have one that’s competitive.”

Mr Cantab finished second to Federal Flex in his Dancer division. He was timed in 1:54.3. Mr Cantab, who was purchased as a yearling for $350,000, is a half brother to 2006 Hambletonian Oaks winner Passionate Glide and 2000 Hambletonian Oaks winner Maritas Victory.

Andy Miller drives the colt for his brother, trainer Erv Miller, and owners Brittany Farms, John Carver, Ron Michelon, and Riverview Farms. Mr Cantab has won five of eight lifetime races and earned $79,324.

“I don’t think he was himself (in the Dancer),” Erv Miller said. “He never really got into the race and when he came first up with him he didn’t have any trot. Some of it could have been the (rainy) weather, but I think it was mostly him; something is going on. I thought he was a serious contender, and he didn’t look like it. He’s a way better horse than that.”

Tom Cango was fourth in his Dancer division, won by Muscle Hill. He was timed in 1:53.4 and finished 1-1/2 lengths behind third-place Copy Catch. He has one win in four races this year. Last year, Tom Cango won the William Wellwood Memorial. He has won six of 13 career starts and earned $333,046.

The colt is trained by Jim Campbell, driven by John Campbell and owned by Arlene and Jules Siegel.

“I was hoping for a better race,” Jim Campbell said. “It was a long first-over grind, but I was hoping for a little bit better result. We didn’t get it. Now we have to do our homework and find out why. He was sick the last start; I hope he didn’t have a relapse. He was cleared up and we were expecting a good race (in the Dancer). I have to see what kind of hand we’re dealt and go from there.”

Copy Catch was third in his Dancer division and trainer Jimmy Takter is on the fence about whether the colt will head to the Hambletonian. Copy Catch has won three of eight races this year, including a division of the Zweig Memorial, and earned $135,396. He was winless in seven starts in 2008.

The colt is owned by Lindy Racing Stable, Adam Victor & Son Stable and Blue Chip Bloodstock. He is racing Thursday in the Pennsylvania Sire Stakes at the Meadows. Copy Catch’s mother, Catch A Train, is a half sister to legendary trotting mare Moni Maker, who was twice Horse of the Year.

“He’s been racing good his last two starts; really good,” Takter said. “He’s getting better and better. Sometimes some horses need a little a time. He’s racing at The Meadows on Thursday and we’ll decide (about the Hambletonian) after that race.

“Those three top colts stand out a little more. It’s tough. It’s nice to be in the Hambletonian, but it’s nice to win it. But (Copy Catch) is coming along. I’m happy with the way he goes.”

(Harness Racing Communications)