Saratoga Springs, NY — Miss Muscle (Muscle Mass) went coast-to-coast in her division of the co-featured trotting events on Thursday afternoon (Dec. 13) at Saratoga Casino Hotel to complete a double for trainer-driver John Stark Jr.

Miss Muscle lasted on the lead as her race’s even money betting favorite on Thursday to score in 2:01.2. Melissa Simser-Iovino photo.

Stark’s Miss Muscle lasted on the lead as her race’s even money betting favorite on Thursday to score in 2:01.2 through a light snow in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. It was the sixth win on the season for the 3-year-old filly.

Jeter’s Way (Muscles Yankee) also went wire-to-wire in an $11,000 division of the co-featured races for New York sired trotters. One of the nominees for 3-year-old Trotter of the Year at Saratoga this season, Jeter’s Way had little difficulty recording his eighth victory in the 2018 campaign when he scored in 1:59.3, the fastest time among the winners of the matinee’s co-features.

While in somewhat limited starts, Stark enjoyed a strong ’18 season led in large part by his group of young trotters, some of which were on display on the Thursday card. Jeter’s Way and Miss Muscle teamed up for 14 victories this season.

Phil Fluet’s Lady Macbeth (Deweycheatumnhowe) prevailed in the other co-feature on the card, toughing out a first-over journey to win in 2:00.2.

Live racing continues on Friday night as we head into closing weekend for the season at the Spa. First post time on Friday is set for 6:45 p.m.