Last season's Minnesota Harness Horse of the Year DP Freedoms Chrome continued his tear in the top class at Oak Grove Racing, Gaming & Hotel on Tuesday afternoon, June 3 with a 1:51.3 win -- two-fifths of a second off the track record -- in the $45,025 Open Trot.

Leaving from post six, driver Marvin Luna secured the lead with DP Freedoms Chrome after a :26.4 first quarter. He slowed to a :55.3 half as the field started separating into two packs, which prompted Iwont Backdown As (Tony Hall) to push off the pegs in search of a closer seat. Luna let DP Freedoms Chrome chug up the backstretch and clicked past three-quarters in 1:22.4 with still plenty in reserve for the stretch drive. DP Freedoms Chrome coasted to a 1-3/4-length win in hand while Whiskey Lou (Marcus Miller) tried to rally off a pocket trip, but settled for second. Iwont Backdown As settled for third and Country Mamma (Andy Shetler) snagged fourth, another seven lengths behind. Double millionaire and even-money favourite Amigo Volo (David Miller) saved ground throughout in the back of the pack and settled for fifth.

A four-year-old stallion by For You Almostfree trained by Wayne Oke, DP Freedoms Chrome won his 27th race from 39 starts and has now earned $419,874 for owner Aimes Racing. He paid $5.44 to win.

Racing continues at Oak Grove on Monday, June 9. First-race post time at Oak Grove is 1:25 p.m. (CDT).

(With files from Oak Grove)