Mister Muscle has emerged as the new stable star at Saratoga Casino Hotel for leading conditioner Melissa Beckwith, winning Sunday afternoon's $18,000 Open Trot to record his third top-level victory in four tries.
The five-year-old son of Muscle Mass coasted through a first half in :57.4 in line to Mark Beckwith before remaining untested through three-quarters in 1:27.2. Long shot Cartier Volo (Frank Coppola Jr.) took her shot first-over on the leader past three-quarters, but the chase was futile. Odds-on favourite Wings Of Royalty posed no threat to the eventual winner, who stopped the timer in 1:56.3. Cartier Volo finished second while Wings Of Royalty settled for third.
Mister Muscle moved his career bankroll over the $200,000 mark, while returning $4.50 to win and leading an exacta that returned $25. Patricia Schneeberger owns the rising trotting star.
Live racing at Saratoga resumes on Wednesday afternoon (Oct. 16), with first post set for 12 noon.
(with files from Saratoga Casino Hotel)