Muscle Massive edges Lucky Chucky in the Hambletonian

Muscle Massive wins the Hambletonian

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Muscle Massive edged Lucky Chucky by a half length in the $1.5 million Hambletonian for 3-year-old trotters on Saturday at the Meadowlands Racetrack.

Driver Ron Pierce got his third Hambletonian win; trainer Jimmy Takter won the trotting classic for the second time. The time was 1:51 for the one mile, the second fastest in the 85-year history of the stakes. Muscle Hill set the mark of 1:50 1/5 last year.

Muscle Massive got his fourth victory in eight starts this season. It was his sixth win in 14 career races.

Lucky Chucky, the 3-2 favorite, took charge turning for home and appeared on his way to victory. Pierce, who had Muscle Massive sitting second behind the pacesetting Cassis, angled off the pylons as soon as Lucky Chucky cleared the lead. Once clear, Muscle Massive kicked into high gear to reel in Lucky Chucky for the biggest win of career.

“I have never seen the horse as good,” Pierce said of the pre-race warmup. “I remember Jimmy telling me last year he was pointing to this race. The trip worked out, and he did the rest. My colt was loaded. Jimmy had him ready to go.”

Takter, whose previous winner was Malabar Man in 1997, had faith in Muscle Massive from the start.

“I loved him from the beginning,” Takter said. “He had some mishaps at 2 and got hurt. We’ve been very patient with him, and he really showed that he’s a unique animal.”

Takter had three horses in the field. Hard Livin was seventh; On The Tab finished ninth.

Muscle Massive paid $15, $5.80 and $5. Lucky Chucky returned $3.40 and $2.80. Wishing Stone paid $5.80 to show.

Bar Slide, the 3-1 second choice, captured the $750,000 Hambletonian Oaks, the companion event for 3-year-old trotting fillies.

Tim Tetrick sent Bar Slide to the lead with a decisive move on the final turn. Trained by Joe Holloway, Bar Slide held off Ultimate Cameron by 1½ lengths with Springtime Volo third. She paid $8.40 to win. The time was 1:53 4/5.

Poof She’s Gone, last year’s 2-year-old champion trotting filly and even-money favorite in the Oaks, skipped off stride turning for home and finished seventh.