Muscle Hill is the overwhelming 3-5 favorite for this afternoon’s $1.5 million Hambletonian at the Meadowlands Racetrack. He is undefeated this season, and hasn’t even been challenged. Yet, he still has to claim harness racing’s most coveted prize in order to be “King of the Hill.”

Trainer Greg Peck and Meadowlands’ top driver Brian Sears have faith in their colt’s abilities but know anything can happen in a horse race.

“You know in the movie, the guy is going to get the girl,” Peck said. “In sports, you generally do not know. It still has to happen. There are nine other horses in there with a chance. So things have to go our way, and we know that.”

Victory in the Hambletonian would be a first for both Peck and Sears. One of the contenders looking to upend Muscle Hill’s perfect season is 5-1 second choice Explosive Matter.

The day before last week’s Hambletonian eliminations, a trailer transporting Explosive Matter was run off the road and ended up on its side in a ditch.

“We were pretty pleased once we got through the elimination,” said Noel Daley, trainer of Explosive Matter. “That’s not the way you want to go into one. We don’t want to duplicate that this week. Very happy to get out of it the way we did.”

Explosive Matter was no worse for wear when he ditched his competition and easily scored his Hamble-tonain elimination victory. Explosive Matter’s driver Ron Pierce is well acquainted with the Hambletonian winner’s circle, having won the classic race in 2007 (with Donato Hanover) and 1993 (American Winner).

“I think [Muscle Hill’s connections] know we’re here,” Pierce said after the elimination race.

Another colt who was noticed after an elimination victory was Symphonic Hanover (8-1).

“I don’t think you’ve seen the best of him yet,” said David Miller, driver of Symphonic Hanover, who still is looking for his first Hambletonian victory.

The Hambletonian will be broadcast live on NBC with an estimated post time of 4:15 p.m.