from Harness Racing Communications, a division of the USTA

Freehold, NJ — Ervin Miller trained Classic Photo, who won the 2005 Canadian Trotting Classic and was second to Vivid Photo in the Hambletonian, so when he says Muscle Mass — at this point — is the best trotter he’s trained, it’s worth taking notice.

Timothy M. Jones photo

Muscle Mass set a world record for freshmen on a mile track when he won in the Review Stakes at Springfield in 1:53.4.

Muscle Mass is undefeated in five races, with earnings of $106,000. He is scheduled to race Thursday, September 27, at Lexington’s Red Mile in a Bluegrass division for 2-year-old male trotters. He is coming off a nearly 10-length win in the American-National Stakes at Balmoral Park on September 16.

“So far, he’s a real easy horse to manage and get along with,” Miller said. “He just does his work well, unlike most young trotters. He stays pretty cool all the way through, knock on wood. I think that really helps; it helps them be a little sounder when they don’t get too aggressive.”

Muscle Mass, a son of Muscles Yankee, is the first foal out of the mare Graceful Touch, who is a full sister to 2001 World Trotting Derby winner Cobol. Graceful Touch won a 2002 Breeders Crown elimination race and was fourth in the final. Success in the family runs even deeper: Graceful Touch’s mother won the 1996 Filly World Trotting Derby and is a full sister to two-time New Jersey Sires Stakes champion Prolific Lady and 1999 Breeders Crown elimination winner Cherished Victory.

Owned by the Perretti Racing Stable and Black Horse Racing, Muscle Mass was a $100,000 yearling purchase. In his second start, Muscle Mass set the world record for 2-year-olds trotting on a mile track, winning in 1:53.4 at Springfield.

“Even early on, he displayed a lot of talent,” Miller said. “So far, he’s the best trotter I’ve ever trained. Whenever staking time came around, I’d tell them to stake him to everything. He does it so easy. I don’t want to brag on him too much. But as long as nothing crazy happens, he’s got a good shot to come back real strong next year.”