Rose Run Xtra, Dancin Dragon win $20,000 features at MGM Northfield Park

Northfield, OH — Knocking on the harness racing door over the past couple of weeks, Rose Run Xtra (Cash Hall) put it all together to win the $20,000 co-featured Open Trot on Sunday (Jul. 23) at MGM Northfield Park.

The field was five abreast heading into the opening turn with Eye Ofa Tiger As (Billy Davis Jr.) gaining control, but that was short-lived as Rose Run Xtra (Ronnie Wrenn Jr.) grabbed the racetrack and took over before the quarter of :28, but the lead changes weren’t over yet.

ROSE RUN XTRA REPLAY

Entering the far turn for the first time, Davis 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 (Kurt Sugg) applied pressure to the leader sitting 1-1/2 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 (Chris Lems) made a three-wide bid around the final turn, but had to settle for third.

Owned by Burke Racing Stable, Hatfield Stables, Knox Services, and J. Melillo, the 4-year-old pushed his earnings to $510,128.

In the $20,000 co-featured Open Pace, Dancin Dragon (Dragon Again) made it two in a row, winning in gate-to-wire fashion.

Hustled off the wings by Ronnie Wrenn Jr., Dancin Dragon passed Markham Eyre N (Luke Ebersole) before the quarter in :26.2.

Wrenn worked out a second-quarter breather with Hughie Junior N (Eric Tharps Jr.) leading the outer flow to the half in :55.2. Into the backstretch, Wrenn let Dancin Dragon out, creating some separation from his foes, but as they approached three-quarters in 1:23.1 Camouflage Money (Lems) made a big three-wide move and engaged the leader into the final turn.

DANCIN DRAGON REPLAY

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.

Owned by trainer Randy Bendis and Pollack Racing LLC, the 8-year-old 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 OSRC rule, the carryover of $3,395 will be moved to Monday’s (July 24) live racing program.

Live racing resumes on Monday (July 24) evening at 6:00 p.m. MGM Northfield Park currently races on Saturday, Sunday, Monday, and Wednesday. For more information on live racing and promotions, visit www.northfieldpark.com.

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.

by Michael Carter, for MGM Northfield Park