Flemsteen, Carolina Beach score in co-featured Opens

Northfield, OH — The co-featured $20,000 Open Trot has been a harness racing race not to miss as of late at MGM Northfield Park, and on Sunday (May 28), that was no different as Flemsteen (Explosive Matter) made things look easy, closing from off-the-pace to win by a nose.

While there wasn’t a world record set this week, there was plenty of pace up front, with Swan Fine Lady (Chris Page) leaving alertly to secure the lead into the backstretch the first time. Favorite Rose Run Xtra (Ronnie Wrenn Jr.) wasn’t content with a two-hole ride, so he challenged the leader and cleared past the quarter in :27.2

Coming to the half, Flemsteen floated to the outside for Aaron Merriman, getting within two lengths of the leader, who hit the half in :56.1. Into the backstretch the final time, Flemsteen continued to apply pressure to Rose Run Xtra and Swan Fine Lady.

Rose Run Xtra battled on at the rail past three-quarters in 1:24.1 and, turning for home, looked like a winner, but Flemsteen had other ideas, rolling off cover and getting up in the shadow of the wire to win in 1:52.2. Rose Run Xtra had to settle for second while Swan Fine Lady finished third.

It was the 13th win of the year for the 5-year-old son by Explosive Matter for owners Christopher Beaver, Bill Manes, and RBH Ventures. The victory pushed his earnings to $369,055.

FLEMSTEEN REPLAY

In the $20,000 co-featured Open Pace, Carolina Beach (Somebeachsomewhere) and driver Aaron Merriman avenged his recent losses scoring a 1:50.1 victory.

Merriman wasted no time putting Carolina Beach on the lead and opened up two lengths into the backstretch, getting to the quarter in :26.3. Carolina Beach tried to get a breather in the second panel. Still, Merriman showed no signs of slowing down, with a :54.4 half.

Speedy Dominic A (Luke Ebersole), Saulsbrook Genesis (Wrenn) and Alamnac (Billy Davis Jr.) began their bids on the outside, looking to upend the early leader.

Carolina Beach showed a lot of grit at three-quarters in 1:22, holding off all challengers, but Speedy Dominic A looked poised to strike around the final turn. Through the stretch, he fended off all pressure to win by a neck over Saulsbrook Geneis and Almanc.

CAROLINA BEACH REPLAY

Owned by trainer Renee Bercury, it was the 55th career victory for the son of Somebeachsomewhere.

The Pick-5 eluded bettors once again on Sunday (May 28), causing a carryover of $20,368. The pool is estimated to reach over $125,000 when all is said and done.

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

For complete race results, click here.

by Michael Carter, for MGM Northfield Park