It’s Academic crushes field in $100,000 Aldrich Trot

For the second straight year, It’s Academic (Uncle Peter) and harness racing driver David Miller made the $100,000 Tom Aldrich President’s Trot their very own at MGM Northfield Park Sunday (Aug. 10), crushing the field in a romp.

The Aldrich Trot, for Ohio-sired older horses, was one of three $100,000 events at MGM Northfield Park that also included the Myron Charna President’s Pace and the $100,000 Courageous Lady Pace.

The Aldrich Trot was the 8^th race on the program, and it was the overwhelming 1/9 race favorite It’s Academic and Miller leaving from post two, but a determined 29-1 Black Magic (Scott Zeron) went three-wide and took the early lead from It’s Academic. Once by the opening quarter in :27.4, Miller sent It’s Academic back to the lead for good.

Cutting fractions of :56.3 to the half and 1:25 to the three-quarters, It’s Academic trotted away from the field, winning in a romp by six and one-half lengths in 1:52.4. Black Magic held for second place over 29-1 Guido Di (Brady Brown) third.

IT’S ACADEMIC REPLAY

It was the ninth win of the season for It’s Academic, a seven-year-old stallion, trained by Ron Burke for owner Bradly Grant of Milton, Ontario, paying $2.10 across the board. It’s Academic is a career winner of 32 races and $2.49 million in purses.

“He did really well,” said winning driver David Miller. “The fractions were definitely more suitable in his favor, and he was very strong the entire mile.”

Trainer Ron Burke returned right back to the winner’s circle in the 9^th race as his four-year-old pacer, Act Fast (Downbytheseaside), captured the $100,000 Myron Charna President’s Pace for Ohio-sired older horses.

The two 7/5 co-favorite battled from the start as Racing Rampage (Matt Kakaley) and Act Fast with driver Ronnie Wrenn, Jr. both went for the early lead with Racing Rampage winning out early but Act Fast and Wrenn wanted the top and got it by the first quarter in a speedy :26.

From there Act Fast and Wrenn controlled all the fractions, leading to the half mile in :55.2 and the three quarters in 1:22.2. Seafire (Scott Zeron) came first-over at the half with Quick Trick (David Miller) second-over but could not gain on the race leader.

Coming around the final turn, Kakaley sent Racing Rampage after Act Fast and those two raced down to the wire in a photo finish with Act Fast winning by a long nose in 1:50.2. Quick Trick was third.

ACT FAST REPLAY                

It was the seventh win on the year for Act Fast. The four-year-old gelding is trained by Ron Burke for Burke Racing Stable, Knox Services and Rich Lombardo Racing and Beasty, LLC, paying $4.80 to win.

“The horse has a lot of gate speed,” said winning driver Ronnie Wrenn, Jr. “I was a little worried on the last turn, Matty’s horse (Racing Rampage) is nice, been racing on a half as well. We did well to win it.”

The 35^th edition of the Courageous Lady Invitational Pace for three-year-old fillies saw 1/5 race favorite Odds On Platinum (Bettor’s Delight) ship to MGM Northfield Park from Ontario and easily win the $100,000 race.

Sarasota Hanover (Scott Zeron) was first on the lead in the 10^th race with Soft Shot (Justine Irving) rushing up from post seven to take command at the quarter in :26.3.

Once the passed the half mile in :55.2, Odds On Platinum and driver David Miller came first-over and was able to clear to the lead and hold the field at bay to the three quarters in 1:23.

Then in the stretch, Odds On Platinum pulled away to win with ease by four and three-quarter lengths in 1:51.2. 60-1 Gone Costal (Dan Noble) closed to be second with Soft Shot third.

ODDS ON PLATINUM REPLAY

It was the second straight win and fourth victory on the year for Odds On Platinum. She is trained by Dr. Ian Moore for Let It Ride Stable and Odds On Racing, paying $2.40 to win.

“It’s a pretty good mile,” said winning trainer Dr. Ian Moore. “It’s a little cool tonight, I’m kinda cold and it’s windy. She’s trained on a half mile the last two summers so no problem with that. I told him (David Miller) that he could bust out of the gate if he wanted to, but she does race better chasing one. It worked out really well. I was a bit concerned coming first-up but she handled it. She has really become a good mare this year.”

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

by Steve Wolf, for Harnesslink