Muscle Hill Wins Kentucky Futurity

Wins don’t come much easier than the ones that Muscle Hill turned in at The Red Mile on Saturday afternoon in the elimination and the final of the 117th edition of the Kentucky Futurity

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He cruised to a 1:52.3 decision in his first tour around the hallowed Lexington oval, and he unleashed an authoritative 1:51.1 decision in the $264,000 final for driver Brian Sears and trainer Greg Peck.

Sears wasted no time taking advantage of the pole position in the final with Muscle Hill, who rolled the field through splits of :27, :54.3 and 1:23.4 before finishing off his task with a :27.2 final frame en route to the 1:51.1 triumph over Explosive Matter and Tom Cango. Final cheques went to Broadway Bistro (4th) and Neighsay Hanover (5th).

“He’s just the best,” said co-owner Jerry Silva. We’ve heard from horsemen that have been in the business for over 50 years that he just covers the ground so effortlessly. I hope in our lifetime we can find one more like him.”

“Going into the race I know he’s the best horse, but I can’t sit still on race day,” said co-owner Tommy Pontone. “It has been a great ride, it’s been fantastic. And like Jerry said, I hope we find another one next year.”

The win streak is now 19-in-a-row and counting for Muscle Hill, who is owned by Jerry Silva, T L P Stable, Southwind Farm and Muscle Hill Racing LLC. The colt is now 11-for-10 this season after going 8-for-9 as a freshman. He has potted $2,072,441 this season and $2,889,742 in his career.

“The Breeders Crown at Woodbine Racetrack will be his last career start,” said trainer Greg Peck. “I can’t wait to see his babies.”

$108,000 Kentucky Futurity – 1st elimination

There was no catching race favourite Big Bikkies and driver Ron Pierce in the first elimination of the 117th edition of the Kentucky Futurity. The strapping three-year-old son of Windsongs Legacy-Sheza Hot Cookie marched to the top and sliced out splits of :27.1, :56 and 1:25.1 before rolling home in :28.1 for the 1:53.2 score. Neighsay Hanover rallied from last to finish second and Dr Mcdreamy was third. Also advancing to the second heat of the Kentucky Futurity were Tom Cango (4th) and Airzoom Lindy (5th). Windshear was scratched due to sickness.

Noel Daley conditions the Adam Victor And Son Stable LLC’s homebred, who was unraced as a rookie. He is now 6-for-9 this season with earnings of $185,280.

$108,000 Kentucky Futurity – 2nd elimination

The win streak is now 18-in-a-row and counting for the incomparable Muscle Hill, who dominated in his first heat assignment for the duo of driver Brian Sears and trainer Greg Peck. The son of Muscles Yankee-Yankee Blondie floated off the gate and accepted a three-hole trip in the early stages of the mile while Explosive Matter produced a 28-second opening panel. Sears had Muscle Hill out and rolling as soon as the field entered the backstretch, and once he was in gear it was lights out for the competition. He cruised through middle panels of :55.1 and 1:24.3 before roaring away from his rivals in a time of 1:52.3. Explosive Matter was second best and third prize went to Broadway Bistro. Also advancing to the second heat of the Kentucky Futurity were Russell Hill (4th) and Hot Shot Blue Chip (5th).

“He was super, it makes my job so easy,” said Brian Sears. “He knows exactly what to do, and I was really pleased with him. The end is coming close, and ones like this don’t come along very often. He’ll be greatly missed.”