Northfield, OH — Muscles For Life (Muscle Mass) proved for the 48th time he still has the “muscles for winning” as the 10-year-old won the Great Lakes Amateur Driving Association’s Saturday night special (Dec. 23) at MGM Northfield Park.

Steve Oldford was again in the sulky to give his charge the trip he likes — on the front end — as this grand trotter has won more than half of his lifetime races going gate-to-wire since his first win north of the border in 2015.

On this raw, 42 degree night on a sloppy racetrack, Oldford, the author of over 200 wins himself, left no doubt on strategy, as Muscles For Life pushed the starting gate out of his way, repelled a challenge with a “hot” :27.4 opener on the “cold” night and rated mid-race panels of :57.2 and 1:27.2 and under slight urging was three-parts of a length the best at the wire in 1:57.4. Brigotto, handled by Henry Beachy, closed fastest of all to be second while So Wishfull, leaving from the outside post and forced to be near the back of the pack throughout, rallied for third for Larry Ferrari.

After the race, Oldford related, “He’s been with me a long time — going on five years — and he has that will to win and, when he draws well, he usually does well and tonight was no different. All the credit goes to “Muscles” as he’s the one that got me home first.”

Trained by Allen Sisco for lessee Oldford Racing, Muscles For Life sent his yearly scorecard to 5-2-1 in a lightly raced 12 starts, good for $23,075 and $481,407 lifetime. Off at even money on the toteboard, Muscles For Life paid $4.20 to his many faithful.

Oldford continued, “He’s pushing two milestones now — 50 wins and $500,000 — and he sure has the heart to do it!”