FREEHOLD, N.J. (AP) -Flex The Muscle overtook stablemate Shaq Is Back in the stretch for a 1 1/2-length victory in the $156,000 Dexter Cup for 3-year-old trotters at Freehold Raceway on Saturday.

David Miller guided Flex The Muscle over the mile in 1:56.2 and gave trainer Ray Schnittker his fifth victory in the Dexter Cup, an early test leading up to the Hambletonian.

``That was a good mile and he did it very handy,'' Miller said. ``The horse raced very well.''

Flex The Muscle won his second race in as many starts this year, earning $2.20, $2.20 and $2.10 as part of an entry. The colt won five of 13 starts in 2009.

Celebrity Bluechip was third and Senor Glide placed fourth.

Schnittker drove Big Stick Lindy, his third entry in the eight-horse field, to sixth.

All three are eligible for the $1.5 million Hambletonian, to be run Aug. 7 at the Meadowlands Racetrack.

Shaq Is Back took the lead at the start from post five and Flex The Muscle followed in second from post four. Senor Glide, who started from post seven, challenged Shaq Is Back at the half-mile point, but was unable to get to the front.

Flex The Muscle sat behind Shaq Is Back until the field reached the stretch, then passed on the outside for the win.

``He got a great trip, a two-hole trip, and I never had to move until the head of the stretch,'' Miller said. ``He felt very strong the whole mile and he won very easy.''