by Tim Bojarksi, for the Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts

Plainville, MA — State-bred Muscles Jared was a champion at two and runner-up at three in Massachusetts Sire Stake action. But it appears that the best may be yet to come as he is now two-for-two as an older performer, notching his second victory in a $10,000 conditioned event at Plainridge Park on Thursday afternoon (April 19).

Tom Melanson photo

Muscles Jared makes quick work of his rivals at Plainridge Park on Thursday.

Starting from post one, Muscles Jared (Truman Gale) took a quick lead before yielding to Cincinnati Miss (Greg Merton) at the quarter in :27.2. After that one seated, Gale quickly pulled his gelding, went right back to the front and became a passenger for the rest of the mile.

The sharp-stepping Muscles Jared dictated back to back quarters of :28.4 and :28.3 while extending a lead that eventually became insurmountable. When Gale popped the plugs at three-quarters, Muscles Jared responded in kind and opened up a seven-length advantage rounding the final bend. With the race all but locked-up, Gale sat chilly down the lane and Muscles Jared hit the wire a wrapped-up winner in 1:55.2 over a wet track rated “good”, which was a new seasonal mark.

Muscles Jared now boasts $359,346 in lifetime earnings for owner Al Ross of South Dartmouth, Mass. and has a perfect race record for his new trainer Robert Gale.

Shawn Gray and Drew Campbell each drove two winners on the card.

Racing resumes at Plainridge Park on Monday (April 23) with an 11-race card that kicks off at 4 p.m.