A post seven starting spot led many people to believe that Flex The Muscle had his work cut out for him in his quest for three straight wins in the New Jersey Sires Stakes on Friday afternoon at Freehold Raceway

.

The Ray Schnittker-trained three-year-old son of Muscles Yankee-Alix Hall was treated to a solid trip considering his post position dilemma, and at the end of the day he went home with $50,000 more than he started the day with.

David Miller tucked into an early three-hole with Flex The Muscle, while Peace Bridge (George Brennan) and Senor Glide (Jimmy Takter) battled tooth and nail to the quarter pole in :27.1. Senor Glide eventually cleared to the lead and he proceeded to roll the field to the mid-way point in a :56-second clip.

Miller angled Flex The Muscle off the rail when the field entered the backstretch for the final time, and in a matter of strides he hooked up in a staring contest with Senor Glide. The were side-by-side at the three-quarter pole in 1:26.1 before Flex The Muscle did just that and drew off to win in 1:56.2. Take My Picture (Cat Manzi) came on late to grab the runner-up award, while Peace Bridge re-rallied to finish third.

Owned by Schnittker, Jerry Silva and the Arden Homestead Stable of New York, Flex The Muscle pushed his lifetime earnings to $343,949 with the win. It was his 10th lifetime tally in just 26 trips postward. The victory was one of six on the card for driver David Miller.