Knocking on the door over the past couple of weeks, Rose Run Xtra put it all together to win the $20,000 co-featured Open Trot on Sunday (July 23) at MGM Northfield Park.
The field was five abreast heading into the opening turn with Eye Ofa Tiger As and Billy Davis Jr. gaining control, but that was short-lived as Rose Run Xtra grabbed the racetrack and took over before the quarter of :28 for driver Ronnie Wrenn Jr. But the lead changes weren't over yet.
Entering the far turn for the first time, Eye Ofa Tiger As pulled pocket on Wrenn and crossed over through the stretch for the first time. With the field in straight alignment, Davis got things his way with a :29 breather in the second panel. As they entered the backstretch, Swan Fine Lady and Krut Sugg applied pressure to the leader sitting 1-1/2 lengths off the speed past three-quarters in 1:25.1.
Entering the stretch, Rose Run Xtra popped out of the two-hole and nailed Eye Ofa Tiger As on the wire, winning by a neck in 1:53.4. Winning Shadow made a three-wide bid around the final turn for Chris Lems, but had to settle for third.
Owned by Burke Racing Stable, Hatfield Stables, Knox Services and Jason Melillo, Rose Run Xtra -- a four-year-old gelding by Cash Hall -- pushed his earnings to $510,128.
In the $20,000 co-featured Open Handicap Pace, Dancin Dragon made it two in a row, winning in gate-to-wire fashion.
Hustled off the wings by Wrenn, Dancin Dragon passed Markham Eyre N and Luke Ebersole before the quarter in :26.2. Wrenn worked out a second-quarter breather for Dancin Dragon with Hughie Junior N and Thomas Tharps Jr. leading the outer flow to the half in :55.2.
Into the backstretch, Wrenn moved out, creating some separation from his foes, but as they approached three-quarters in 1:23.1, Camouflage Money and Lems made a big three-wide move and engaged the leader into the final turn. The pair matched strides throughout much of the final quarter-mile, with Dancin Dragon digging in to win by a neck in 1:50.3. Markham Eyre N finished third.
Owned by trainer Randy Bendis and Pollack Racing LLC, Dancin Dragon -- an eight-year-old son by Dragon Again -- pushed his career earnings to $571,284.
Following the sixth race on Sunday, a torrential downpour hit Northeast Ohio, causing the cancellation of the remainder of the program due to unsafe track conditions. With only one leg of the Pick-5 taking place, per Ohio State Racing Commission rule, the carryover of $3,395 will be moved to Monday's (July 24) live racing program.
Live harness racing resumes on Monday evening at 6 p.m. (EDT).
(With files from Northfield Park)