Cumberland, ME — Ron Cushing’s Muscle Gene has done nothing but improve since arriving back in the Pine Tree State in mid-May.

Muscle Gene (Ron Cushing) has continued to progress since coming to Maine. Stephanie Gray photo.

Previously the trotter had been toiling in tougher conditioned events at Pocono and Plainridge for his owner/driver Cushing and his trainer Heidi Gibbs. Picking up checks and paying his way, but the winner’s circle was seemingly elusive.

That all changed when the horse came to Cumberland, where he has finished third, then second, and then was victorious over the course of his last three starts.

Muscle Gene is a 5-year-old son of Musclesprinctonian. This sire is hardly a household name, but hails from a family of Grand Circuit champions. Originally standing in Indiana, but now in Michigan, Musclesprinctonian is a son of the incomparable Muscle Hill. His dam is the Dan Patch Award winner and Hambletonian Oaks champion Broadway Schooner 3,1:53.3 ($885,933). This makes Musclesprinctonian a half-brother to Broadway Donna 3,1:51.1 ($1,434,735), a Breeders Crown champion and multiple Grand Circuit stakes winner.

Muscle Gene, already the winner of $96,277 lifetime, is from Musclesprinctonian’s second crop of just 12 foals, with the top three starters earning nearly $450,000 combined.

Will his royally-bred sire help Muscle Gene ascend to greater heights? Only time will tell. But Cushing has noticed the increased development of the horse, and feels that his recent maturity will only help.

“He really is coming into himself now,” noted Cushing. “Shaping up and filling out, he is a nice honest horse. He has gate speed, but we don’t really need to use it too much because he can trot home so strongly.”

“You don’t get paid at the three-eighths pole,” added Cushing with a laugh.

During Friday’s (June 9) 11-race program, Muscle Gene leaves from the pylon position in a field of seven that goes postward in race eight, which is also the start of the Pick-4. Betting options also include a 50-cent trifecta, as well as the usual assortment of exotic wagers with low 16 percent takeout scattered throughout the card.

Saturday’s (June 10) program also carries 11 races, and runs concurrent with the $1,500,000 Belmont Stakes. The 155th renewal marks the 50th anniversary of Secretariat’s world record and Triple Crown winning performance. Cumberland offers Belmont viewing and programs, as well as all the pertinent wagering options.

Live harness racing continues at Cumberland throughout the Spring and early Summer months with regular racing on Friday and Saturday each weekend. First post is slated for 3:15 p.m. (EDT) during the extended pari-mutuel meeting, which runs through Aug. 5.

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