Trotters battle over sloppy track in Open

OAK GROVE, KY — Just For Trix (Trixton) made a successful seasonable bow despite a first-over grind and a sloppy track to claim harness racing victory in the $30,000 Open Trot at Oak Grove Racing, Gaming & Hotel on Tuesday afternoon (April 2).

Starting from post 2, Just For Trix (driven by Tyler Shehan) floated off the gate to race fifth while Yo Beth D (Verlin Yoder) pushed for the lead to a :26.4 first quarter. Yo Beth D endured brief pressure past the stands until Winnerup (John MacDonald) began a retreat after a :56 half, all while Shehan pulled Just For Trix off the cones.

Just For Trix steadily gained on Yo Beth D to three-quarters in 1:24.3 and remained well in hand while sliding to the lead through the final turn. Sinatra De Vie (Jimmy Whittemore) soared from the back of the pack and confronted Just For Trix in the lane, but Just For Trix held firm to the finish to win by 1-1/2 lengths in 1:54.1. Kings County (Anthony MacDonald) rode a pocket trip to take third and Usosweet Blue Chip (Atlee Bender) circumvented traffic to take fourth.

Mike Murphy trains Just For Trix, a 5-year-old stallion, for owners James Wilson and Teri Jenkins. Just For Trix collected his 14th win from 556 starts and has now earned $269,182. He paid $8.52 to win.

Live racing resumes at Oak Grove on Monday (April 8). First-race post time at Oak Grove is 3 p.m. (CDT).

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

From Oak Grove Racing