Northfield, OH – Melillo got his signature event win at Northfield Park on Saturday (Aug. 15) night, capturing the $300,000 Carl Milstein Memorial in 1:50.4.
Ronnie Wrenn Jr. and Melillo were intent on leaving for position, but Myboypank (Marvin Luna) and Fire Run (Atlee Bender) both blasted off the gate, forcing Wrenn to take back and let the dust settle. Myboypank and Fire Run battled through an opening quarter in 26.4 before Wrenn was able to drive on to the front.
Just past the quarter, Wrenn reached the lead but quickly released barn mate Aces and Cinches, and settling into the pocket. Aces and Cinches reached the half in 54.3 maintaining control through three-quarters in 1:22.0.
Turning for home with open road in the passing lane, Melillo exploded through and powered home to secure his signature stakes victory.
Redland Rocketman and Brett Miller closed strongly after making a bold four-wide move on the far turn to finish second, while Fire Run came on for third.
The victory was particularly meaningful for Melillo as he is named after co-owner Jason Melillo.
“He’s peaking at the right time and there’s a lot of big races coming up,” Wrenn said. “When he got into the passing lane he exploded.”
Wrenn also believes Melillo has taken an important step forward mentally.
“He’s figuring it out and knows how to win now,” he said.
After coming so close in the Adios, Melillo delivered at 1-5 odds, earning his biggest victory to date in the $300,000 Carl Milstein Memorial.