by Karen Briggs, WEG Media

Campbellville, ON — Muscle Hill, driven by Brian Sears, continued his extraordinary career Saturday at Mohawk Racetrack, trouncing nine rivals in the C$1 million Canadian Trotting Classic.

At the finish, the winning margin was an effortless, geared down three 3-1/2 lengths over Explosive Matter, in 1:53.1, with Southern Rocketop third.

It was the 17th consecutive victory for the 3-year-old trotter, who has only tasted defeat once, that in his career debut when dropping a neck decision a year ago July at the Meadowlands.

Since then, the son of Muscles Yankee has taken all of the glamour events – including last year’s Breeders Crown in world record time and the famed Hambletonian and World Trotting Derby this year.

Now, he joins a pantheon of trotting greats, including Donato Hanover and Deweycheatumnhowe, the last two winners of the Canadian Trotting Classic, who were also victorious in the Hambletonian and World Trotting Derby during their sophomore seasons.

The sky may not even be the limit for Muscle Hill. Many think he may be the best trotter ever, considering the ease by which he’s been winning. He won the Hambletonian by six lengths in world record-equaling time, 1:50.1, the American National by over seven lengths and his Classic elimination last week by over five lengths.

His dominating effort tonight, his ninth victory of the year, was accomplished with an early knockout punch. Muscle Hill moved quickly from fifth before the half-mile mark, overtaking Southern Rocketop, who had led the field through a quick :26.2 opening quarter.

From there, it was everything the packed Mohawk grandstand expected from the superstar. After reaching the half in :56.2, Muscle Hill coasted through three-quarters in 1:25 and was, once again, on his way to the winner’s circle, as Sears eased up the colt through the stretch.

“It feels fantastic. What a great feeling. He’s a very special horse,” said Sears, celebrating his first Canadian Trotting Classic win and over $100 million in career purse earnings with the victory. “They just don’t come around like him very often. He’s by far the best horse I’ve ever driven.”

“One of my main concerns was I didn’t want to get three deep and parked. So I let everybody settle in and when I moved him, he responded very well. He’s been doing what he’s been doing all along. He stuck to his work. He was fantastic. I feel very lucky to drive a horse like that.”

Trained by Sydney Mines, Nova Scotia native Gregory Peck, Muscle Hill, bought for $55,000 as a yearling, has now earned over $2.7 million for owners Jerry Silva, TLP Stable, Southwind Farm and Muscle Hill Racing, including tonight’s C$500,000 jackpot from the 34th edition of the Canadian Trotting Classic, the richest race in Canada for trotters.