Muscle Ave and driver Scott Young closed from the backfield to defeat the odds-on favourite in a photo finish in Tuesday night's $7,500 Preferred 3 Trot at The Raceway at Western Fair District.
While 4-5 favourite Little Red Chev and Scott Coulter advanced first-over to take the lead from pacesetter Willyorwonthe (:28.4, :59.1, 1:29.3) and Bill Megens heading into the final turn, Muscle Ave was powering up three-wide from the back of outer tier. Despite baring out in the stretch, Muscle Ave caught Little Red Chev at the finish line for the 2:00.4 victory over the 'good' track. E L Rock and Nick Steward closed off the favourite's cover to show, finishing almost six lengths behind the top pair.
Sent postward as the 5-1 fourth choice on the toteboard, Muscle Ave rewarded his backers with a $12.60 win payout.
Ian Hyatt trains the four-year-old Muscle Mass gelding for owners Larry of Ainsworth of Petrolia, Ont., and Wallacestandardbreds Inc. of Puslinch, Ont.
Muscle Ave is a two-time winner from nine races this year and now boasts 10 wins total in his career spanning 42 starts. The lion's share of the purse pushed his bankroll over $85,000.
To view Tuesday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Tuesday Results - Western Fair.