by Tom Hicks

Goshen, NY — Trainer/driver Ray Schnittker, now turned racing under saddle jockey, won Sunday’s (July 7) Goshen RUS event in 2:04.2h.

Geri Schwarz photo

Ray Schnittker and Flex The Muscle (right) were 2:04.2h winners.

Veteran stallion Flex The Muscle (Muscles Yankee-Alix Hall) burst off the gate from post four to assume a lead he never surrendered, holding off fast closing Muscolo (Muscles Yankee-Vernon Blue Chip) and Karen Isbell to win by a neck. Muscolo closed from eight lengths back at the three-quarter-mile mark to make it a close contest at the wire. Where’s Harry was third for Caroline Green.

The winner is owned by Schnittker, Silva Stable and Arden Homestead Stable. The purse was $5,000.

Since the North American RUS events began again in 2012, Sunday was the first win by a male rider. Schnittker regularly exercises his trainees to saddle, a practice that received attention during the racing career of Deweycheatumnhowe.