Three Open events at Oak Grove Racing

Oak Grove Racing in Kentucky featured three $20,000 Open harness racing events Monday (May 16).

The first Open was the fifth race Open Pace where Crooked Smile and driver Joey Putnam went right to the front and never looked back holding off the pocket-sitting American Dreamer (Todd Warren) to win by three-quarters of a length in 1:51.2. Maximus Red A (Kyle Wilfong) was third.

A five-year-old gelding by Panther Hanover, it was the second win this year for Crooked Smile. He is trained by Timothy Wilson, Jr., who also trains American Dreamer. Crooked Smile is co-owned by the Wilson Racing Stable and Turn For Home Racing. He paid $4.20 to win.

The Fillies and Mares Open Pace was the 9^th race where Rollonbeauty came first-over for driver Christian Lind in a winning move.

Elysium Seelster (Tyler Shehan) was first on the lead at the opening quarter mile in :27.2 after being parked by Rock It Out (Kyle Wilfong).

With almost no movement, the field raced past the half mile in :56.3 and then the action heated up. Lind moved Rollonbeauty first-over in the backstretch and they were third at the three-quarters in 1:25.1.

Rollonbeauty kept rolling on and took over the lead by the top of the stretch and then held off Protect Blue Chip (John MacDonald) to win by three-quarters of a length in 1:53.3. Rock It Out was third.

A four-year-old mare by Time To Roll, it was her first win in two starts this season. She is owned and trained by Curtis Rice and paid $7.40 to win.

The Open Trot was the 13^th race on the card and got underway with Sweet Mr Pinetucky (Joey Putnam) out to the early lead to the first quarter in :27.

Then The Lionking AS (Kevin Wallis) popped from the pocket and took command to the half mile in :56.3. Down the backstretch the action heated up with Keystone Apache (John MacDonald) coming first-over, giving live second-over cover to Platinum AS and driver Todd Warren. They went by the three-quarters in 1:25.1.

Tipping to the outside by the top of the stretch, Platinum AS and Warren were in second and then beat Keystone Apache to the wire, winning by three-quarters of a length. The Lionking AS was third.

A four-year-old gelding by E L Titan, it was his first win in two starts for trainer Anette Lorentzon and owner-breeder Acl Stuteri AB. He paid $9.40 to win.

For complete race results, click here.

by Steve Wolf, for Harnesslink