Muscle Massive wins Hambletonian at Meadowlands

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 mile, the second fastest in the 85-year history of the stakes. Muscle Hill set the mark of 1:50.20 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 for the lead. Once in the open, Muscle Massive kicked into high gear to reel in Lucky Chucky for the biggest win of his 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."

Muscle Massive paid $15 to win.