Race Of The Week 20th August 2026

A very close and exciting finish in this weeks ‘Race Of The Week’

After spending much of the harness racing season knocking on the door against North America’s best three-year-old pacers, Melillo finally got his reward with victory in the $300,000 Grade 2 Carl Milstein Memorial at Northfield Park.

And he had to earn it.

The Sweet Lou colt was caught wide early for driver Ronnie Wrenn Jr., but pressed forward to take control through a sharp :26.4 opening quarter before handing up to stablemate Aces And Cinches.

That decision proved crucial.

Aces And Cinches took the field through the half in :54.3 and three-quarters in 1:22, while Melillo enjoyed the trail but found himself searching for racing room as the field swung for home.

Behind him, Redland Rocket Man was building momentum out wide and looked poised to launch a serious challenge.

The opening finally came when Aces And Cinches tired and shifted away from the pylons.

Wrenn didn’t hesitate.

Melillo darted through, grabbed the lead and then had to dig deep as Redland Rocket Man stormed home on the outside.

The pair hit the line almost together, but Melillo held on by a neck in 1:50.4, with Fire Run taking third.

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.

From Harnesslink Media