The Muscle Mass gelding Im The Muscle is in the process of regaining his top form. He won his second consecutive race on Sunday night (July 7) at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono, and did so in 1:53.4 while capturing the track’s $17,500 trotting feature.

Driver Simon Allard hustled Im The Muscle, trained by his brother Rene, to the lead before the :27.3 quarter, then yielded to early brusher Optimist Blue Chip, who set middle fractions of :56.4 and 1:25.1. Allard waited patiently for the ‘Pocono Pike,’ then quickly got his trotter in gear. The pair eventually got up on Optimist Blue Chip by three quarters of a length for owner Rheau Vieu.

The Explosive Matter mare Pat Matters is now perfect in two starts under the care of trainer Richard ‘Nifty’ Norman after a 1:53.4 triumph in a $17,000 co-featured trot. The Patricia Stable owns the winner.

Driver Jim Marohn Jr. was unseated by his horse, Draft Year, during the post parade for Race 3, and was taken to the hospital. He was treated and released, and he is recuperating at home. The loose horse was caught by outrider Tia Shafer and returned to the paddock, and then scratched from the race.

(With files from PHHA / Pocono)