by Leon Zimmerman, for the New Jersey Sire Stakes

Trenton, NJ — Muscle Hill, the early season favorite to win the $1.5 million Hambletonian this year, will try to add another New Jersey Sire Stakes title to his record Saturday night (June 13) at The Meadowlands in the $200,000 championship final for 3-year-old trotting colts and geldings.

There will also be a $200,000 NJSS championship final for 3-year-old filly trotters featuring six winners of preliminary legs of the series.

These championship contests are part of a $1 million purse night for Jersey-breds with the $500,000 Anthony Abbatiello New Jersey Classic and $175,000 Thomas D’Altrui Miss New Jersey.

Muscle Hill, a son of Muscles Yankee, won the NJSS title for 2-year-old trotting colts and geldings last year. He is part of an unusual five-horse entry because of multiple ownership and trainers.

He will be coupled in the wagering on race three with My Back Pages (Revenue S), winner of two preliminary Sire Stakes legs, second-place NJSS preliminary leg finishers Homer Jay (Muscles Yankee) and The Chancellor (Yankee Glide), and Tad The Stud (Windsong’s Legacy), a third-place finisher in one of the preliminary contests.

Also competing in this championship final will be Vesuvio AS (Windsong’s Legacy), another winner of an NJSS preliminary leg. He is coupled as an entry with Howthehaloareyou (Yankee Glide). The other finalists are Manningly (Yankee Glide), Neighsay Hanover (Muscles Yankee) and American Journey (Muscles Yankee).

With only five betting interests, there will be no place and show wagering.

Among the 10 trotting filly finalists in race two are NJSS preliminary winners Seaside, Margarita Momma and Celebrity Athena, all daughters of Yankee Glide; Southwind Wasabi and Rapsong, both sired by Windsong’s Legacy, and Gabby’s Dream (Dream Vacation).

Two fillies sired by Muscles Yankee, I Wanted Wings and One Tough Girl, will be coupled in the wagering because of joint trainer or ownership with Southwind Wasabi.

Rounding out the field are OK To Play and Graceful Sister, both daughters of Yankee Glide.