After having been sent off from Post 3 as the public’s even-money second choice, Mister Muscle recorded a gate-to-wire victory in 1:56.2 during Saratoga Casino Hotel’s $15,000 Open Handicap Trot on Sunday (March 8).
Mister Muscle tasted victory in Saratoga’s Open Trot five times in 2019 after debuting at the track for trainer Melissa Beckwith. Last season as a five-year-old, Mister Muscle, who is by Muscle Mass, enjoyed a career year, as he won 10 races, finishing second eight times, and banked almost $100,000 in purses.
On Sunday, Mister Muscle made his third start of 2020, but was hosting driver Jimmy Devaux in the race bike for the first time. The duo cut all the speed (:27.3, :57.4, 1:27.1) and held on for a neck victory in 1:56.2.
Shorething Fashion (who was driven by Shawn Gray) finished second for the second consecutive week. Cash Me Out finished third.
Mister Muscle, who is owned by Patricia Scheeberger of Valatie, NY, paid $5.80 to win.
Live racing at Saratoga will resume on Wednesday afternoon at noon. Additionally, there will be a $5,000 guarantee in the Pick Five pool on Wednesdays and Thursdays during the month of March. The Pick Five begins in the first race of the day.
(With files from Saratoga Casino Hotel)