Melillo delivers in $300,000 Milstein Memorial

NORTHFIELD, OH – Melillo (Sweet Lou) found the room he needed in the stretch before holding off a furious late challenge to capture the $300,000 Grade 2 Carl Milstein Memorial at Northfield Park on Saturday night (Aug. 15).

Driven by Ronnie Wrenn Jr. for harness racing trainer Ron Burke, Melillo prevailed over Redland Rocket Man by a neck in 1:50.4 to record his third victory of the season.

There was plenty of early action as Myboypank swept three-wide into the opening turn to take the lead, while Melillo was caught on the outside with stablemate Aces And Cinches following him from the second tier.

Wrenn continued forward with Melillo, taking control in a sharp :26.4 opening quarter before yielding to Aces And Cinches and Yannick Gingras on the second turn.

Aces And Cinches took the field through the half in :54.3 as Borderline Mobby was forced to race without cover and kept the pressure on the leader.

The Burke-trained pacer remained in front at three quarters in 1:22, but the challengers were beginning to gather.

Redland Rocket Man and Brett Miller launched a wide move from the back, while Fire Run also joined the chase after enjoying a second-over trip.

Melillo still needed racing room turning for home, but the opportunity arrived when Aces And Cinches began to tire and drifted away from the pylons.

Wrenn immediately sent Melillo through the opening and the colt responded, surging to the lead before having to withstand the late charge of Redland Rocket Man.

Melillo had enough in reserve to score by a neck in 1:50.4, with Fire Run finishing third ahead of Aces And Cinches and Borderline Mobby.

MELILLO REPLAY

The victory was a deserved major-race breakthrough for Melillo after competing against many of North America’s leading three-year-old pacers throughout the season, including appearances in the Meadowlands Pace and Adios.

“He’s been knocking heads with the best horses in the country all year, and he’s been so close so many times,” Wrenn said after the victory.

“I’m so happy for the horse, he deserves it.”

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

by Harnesslink Media