Grand Slam and feature race to Johnathan Ahle

BERLIN, MD — William and Sarah MacMillan’s Nuttin But Finesse (Art Major) was downright determined in winning Sunday’s (June 9) $12,000 Open 1 Handicap Pace at Ocean Downs, turning aside a pair of stout stretch challengers and capping a driving grand slam for harness racing reinsman Johnathan Ahle.

After protecting the lead from the pole position, Nuttin But Finesse briefly yielded control to last week’s Open winner, Fantastic Voyage (driven by Jared Moyer), before retaking from the pocket after a :28 first quarter. Once back on top, Nuttin But Finesse rated a :29.2 second split — and that proved to be enough of a breather for him to outlast not only a sustained first-over push from Iwannabewithyou (Trae Porter) through the final three-eighths of the mile, but also a second push from Fantastic Voyage, who re-emerged up the open stretch.

Flanked by those challengers in deep stretch, Nuttin But Finesse gave all he had to secure a half-length victory in 1:53.1, using a :27.3 last quarter to seal his 30th seasonal win and surpass $300,000 in career earnings. Fantastic Voyage narrowly took second over Iwannabewithyou.

Mike Hall trains Nuttin But Finesse, a 6-year-old stallion who paid $3.20 to win as the 3-5 favorite.

Ahle also won with Perfect Promises ($5.20, 1:57.2), Mystic Waze ($4.60, 1:55) and Bonnie Ben Rockin ($4.80, 1:54.1).

The sub-featured $10,000 Open 2 Handicap Pace saw Trae Porter steer John’s Dream (Dream Away) to a front-end 1:54.3 victory over Shane Adam and Walden Woods. Charles Perry Jr. owns and trains the 11-year-old gelding, who has now won 47 times in his career. He paid $3.80 to win.

Live racing returns to Ocean Downs on Wednesday (June 12); the first of 12 races is due off at 7:05 p.m. EDT.

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting Results

From Ocean Downs Media