Victor Kirby and Matthew Ivory’s King Gus ($15.80, Victor Kirby) graduated to the Open ranks Wednesday by capturing the $17,500 Junior Open Trot at Harrington Raceway

in 1:57.3.

Driven by trainer Kirby, King Gus, a four-year-old Angus Hall stallion, surged in the final stages of the race to reel in pacesetter Nordic Venture – whose bid for a third straight win was foiled ­– as he earned his fifth win of the year. Fivedollarsforsox finished third.

The win was also Kirby’s 1,998th driving win in his career.

Racing will resume Thursday, including a spectacular display of fireworks after the races as racing will assume a summer break before resuming on July 29 during Governor’s Day of the Delaware State Fair.

(Harrington Raceway)