by Adam Packard, for the Meadows

Meadow Lands, PA — Muscle Sprouts, owned by Robert Schlabach, closed late to win for the 14th time in 2005, in a $9,400 Preferred Trot on Wednesday (December 28) at The Meadows.

The heavily traveled, yet lightly raced gelding has had a solid 2005 campaign, banking $77,748. The son of Muscles Yankee has competed at seven different racetracks this season. He started the year out in Chicago at Balmoral Park, but then was sent to Ohio to race at Northfield Park and Scioto Downs in June and July. Trainer Robert Schlabach then gave The Meadows a try in August where he had a very successful stint, reeling off three wins in a row. Muscle Sprouts moved north of the border to Woodbine for some higher purses and raced well there too, in November.

He returned back to The Meadows last week and finished fourth for driver Doug Snyder. Slow early fractions made it hard for Muscle Sprouts to make a late close on the winner Hope’s Victory.

This week was different, as the half went three seconds faster than last week. Muscle Sprouts, driven again by Doug Snyder, was sitting third for the majority of the race, but used a wide bid on the outside to close in :29.4 and defeated Striking Genius and Hope’s Victory in 1:57.3.

Although a five-year-old, Muscle Sprouts had not won a race until this season, and he has shown the capability of being a top preferred trotter at a number of racetracks.

The Meadows will close out its 2005 racing season this week with a 6:00 p.m. post time on Thursday (December 29) and a 5:00 p.m. post time on Friday (December 30). There will be no live racing on Saturday, December 31.