Muscle Hill, the 2009 Hambletonian champion and No. 1 rated horse in North America, is headed to Balmoral Park for this Saturday’s $200,000 American National
Stakes for three-year-old trotting colts.
A $17,000 supplement to the race by owners Jerry Silva, TLP Stable, Southwind Farm and Muscle Hill Racing LLC, this World Record holder is due to arrive in Crete, Ill. Friday afternoon in preparation for Saturday’s main event.
Given a well-deserved three-week vacation after his record-equaling 1:50.1 mile in the 'Hambo,' trainer Greg Peck has pronounced his prize colt fit and ready to return after an easy victory in a qualifier at the Red Mile on Friday, August 21.
“They had some heavy rains the night before but the track crew did a great job of getting the water off the track for the qualifiers that morning,” said Peck. “He went without urging in 1:56.2 and I figure the track was at least three to four seconds off since it was like quicksand out there. That prep was perfect for him and I expect nothing but the best out of him in Saturday’s race.”
Muscle Hill will head into Saturday’s American National with 13 wins in 14 lifetime starts.
Sophomore trotting fillies will also be in action on Saturday night, as they square off for a purse of $180,000 in another American National event. Post time for the opener is 7:20 p.m. (central).
Below is a list of the three-year-olds eligible to both the American National three-year-old colt trot and the American National three-year-old filly trot.
AmNat 3yo Colts
The Chancellor
Judge Joe
Southern Rocketop
Mr Cantab
Dr McDreamy
Sargent Volo
American Journey
Winning Mister
Magic Carpet Ride
Dashing Earl
Cruisealong
Encore Encore
Garcon
Stogie Hanover
Definer
Braggart
The Vatican
Southwind Tagar
Blueridge Legacy
Cantabmyway
Berto Keven
Windshear
Keystone Wildcat
Fox Valley Photog
Montana Steel
Fools Revenue
Express Glide
Aden Hanover
Cantabcontinental
Boundary Waters
Star Witness
Bossy Volo
Peter Lugar
Bo Ryan
AmNat 3yo Fillies
Celebrity Deville
Windsong Soprano
Honorable Daughter
Timelesswinner Two
Caviar for the Lady
Pleasing Lady
Graceful Sister
One Tough Girl
Miss Vickie
Spiceberry Hanover
Missys Doubt Fire
Southwind Wasabi
Sirenuse
Give N Take
Dover Miss
Wedding Dress
Dancing Filly
Musical Mystery
Luna Marker
Tropical Caprice
Fox Valley Strata
Be My Baby
Grand Cameron
Possess Me
Eagle Bette
Curli Cue
ML Brown Sugar
Highscore Kemp
My Taylors Ham
Star Witness
Stunning Delight
Broadway Lisa
Evening Prayer
Zsaza Boko
(With files from Balmoral)