The third time was a charm for Natural Forces, as he became the third different trotter to win the weekly Open feature in as many weeks on Wednesday night at Running Aces.

The five-year-old Lockkeeper gelding, owned by ECS Racing LLC and Kevin St. Charles, was third in his first Minnesota start, second last week despite an early break in stride, and sailed to a 1:56.1 score in his third fray against the best trotters at the meet. Kim Pluta was the sulky sitter for trainer Ronald Merritt.

Franky Provolone (driven by Steve Wiseman) finished two lengths back in his first Open-company competition this season. Northern Inferno (Rick Magee) edged Glittering Muscles (Nick Roland) for third. Quiet Charmer (Jason Ryan) picked up the final paycheque in the seven-horse field.

The 1:56.1 clocking was just three-fifths of a second off Natural Forces’ lifetime best taken at the Red Mile. The ECS Racing homebred has now won 33 times in 89 career starts and boasts a bankroll north of $260,000.

Seven different drivers and eight different trainers won races on the eight-race program. Rick Magee scored the lone driving double on the card.

(Running Aces)