Flemsteen back in the winners circle

Northfield, OH — While no harness racing records were set this Sunday (June 4) at MGM Northfield Park, Flemsteen (Explosive Matter) did manage to find his way back to the winners’ circle, repeating in the $20,000 Open Trot.

With the field only comprising six rivals, the outer three pushed the gate away, battling for the lead. Winning Shadow (Chris Lems) tried different tactics this week, making the lead into the first turn, dueling with Rose Run Xtra (Ronnie Wrenn Jr.) and Flemsteen (Aaron Merriman), who was hung three-high.

Rose Run Xtra would finally clear Winning Shadow for the lead before the quarter but was met with immediate resistance in the form of Flemsteen, who joined him on the outside. The pair tussled past the quarter in :27.3 with Flemsteen finally clearing.

No one took a shot at the leader coming to the half in :56, and it wouldn’t be until the backstretch when Winning Shadow would come to the outside, with Son Of Sona following his every move. At three-quarters in 1:24.4, it appeared Winning Shadow would work past Flemsteen, but Merriman asked him for a little more, and he drew off to win by 1-1/4 lengths in 1:53.1.

FLEMSTEEN REPLAY

Owned by the partnership of trainer Christopher Beaver, Bill Manes, and RBH Ventures Inc, the son of Explosive Matter pushed his earnings to $379,055.

In the co-featured $20,000 Open Pace, Almanac (A Rocknroll Dance) would earn a 1:50.2 victory after just missing in weeks prior.

Camoflage Money (Hunter Myers) worked hard to defend the pylon position as the field moved into the turn for the first time, but Almanac (Billy Davis Jr.) had something to say about that working past the leader at the quarter in :26.4.

The pace began to quicken at the half in :55.2, with Risenshine Seaside (Wrenn Jr.), Carolina Beach (Merriman), and Rockn Motion (Lems) beginning their bid on the outside.

Davis wouldn’t give his foes a chance to catch him as he stepped on the gas at three-quarters in 1:22.1. Turning for home, there was no doubt about who the winner would be as Almanac drew off to win by two lengths.

ALMANAC REPLAY

Owned by Melvin Fink, the son of A Rocknroll Dance pushed his earnings to $219,708 with now 17 victories to his credit.

Live racing resumes on Monday 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 here.

For complete race results, click here.

by Michael Carter, for MGM Northfield Park