from Meadowlands Media Relations

Lhasa Muscles [$3.20, $2.40, $2.10] and Mr McNally [$9.40, $4.20, $2.60] each captured an $18,000 division of the opening round in the Hiram Woodruff Series on Sunday afternoon at the Meadowlands.

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Lhasa Muscles, with driver Cat Manzi in the sulky, took the opening division of the Hiram Woodruff Series by a half-length in 1.56.1.

In the third race, first division, Lhasa Muscles, with driver Cat Manzi in the sulky, brushed to the lead around the backside and trotted home for a half-length victory in 1.56.1.

Earl’s Charm K [$2.80, $2.10] finished second, and it was three and a half lengths back to Ivy Swinger [$2.20] in third.

Trained and co-owned by Ken Rucker, Lhasa Muscles posted his fifth victory in his 13th start of the year and increased his lifetime earnings to $120,554 for the Rucker Stable of Beecher, Illinois and the Engel Stable LLC of Buffalo Grove, Illinois.

In the fifth race, second division, Mr Mcnally held off a late rally from Maltese Malcom [$3.80, $2.60] in the stretch to win by a length and three-quarters in a personal best of 1:55.2.

Tuna Whip [$5.00] finished five lengths back in third.

Mr McNally, driven by Mike Lachance and trained by Steve Elliott, notched his first victory of the year in his second start for owners Dan Shetler Jr. of Cicero Illinois; Mitchell Rosenthal of Dallas, Texas and Jo Anne Shetler of Lexington, Kentucky.

The Hiram Woodruff series continues with its second leg on May 15 and concludes with the $49,255 final on May 22.