Northfield, OH – Trainer Ron Burke, unhappy with the trip he got in the John Cashman Memorial at The Meadowlands on Hambletonian Day, was sure his talented trotter It’s Academic would rebound in the $100,000 Tom Aldrich President’s Trot on Saturday (Aug. 10) at MGM Northfield Park; and rebound he did.
“It’s a different group of horses here, I think David wanted to race from the back,” laughed Hall of Fame trainer Ron Burke. “I told him, I didn’t think that would work tonight, bud.”
The sprint was on into the opening turn with It’s Academic (David Miller), Herecomescharlie B (Billy Davis Jr.) and Black Magic (Scott Zeron) all vying for position. Entering the backstretch, Black Magic finally worked his way to the lead, in front of It’s Academic, with Herecomescharlie B wrestled into third.
Black Magic led to the opening quarter in a swift :27.4 with Zeron trying to get a breather in the second quarter, but It’s Academic would have none of it, tipping to the outside first-over around the far turn for the first time. It’s Academic was able to clear to the half in :56.3.
After that, the rest of the foes would be battling for minor spoils, as It’s Academic cruised to a 1-3/4 length lead at three-quarters in 1:25. Turning for home, Miller geared down the Ohio-sired champion who won decisively by 6-1/2 lengths in 1:52.4.
“He raced very well, the fractions we more suitable for him, he was very strong,” said driver David Miller.
Owned by Bradley Grant, the 7-year-old son of Uncle Peter, pushed his career earnings to $2,494,333, with 32 victories in 88 lifetime starts.
Trainer Ron Burke wasn’t done, as Act Fast (Ronnie Wrenn Jr.) dug in gamely, holding off Racing Rampage (Matt Kakaley) to win the $100,000 Myron Charna President’s Pace.
Like the Aldrich, there was a lot of movement early with Liteningonthebeach (Aaron Merriman), Racing Rampage and Act Fast sprinting into the opening turn. The three of them continued to drag race into the backstretch, when Liteningonthebeach took up pocket position behind Racing Rampage, who continued to dual with Act Fast at an electric opening quarter of :26.
“The horse has a lot of gate speed, I wasn’t afraid to push, Ronnie (Burke) said that he warmed up really good,” said winning driver Ronnie Wrenn Jr. “I wasn’t worried with the sprint up the backstretch, the track has been good tonight.”
Act Fast was torched making the lead entering the far turn, but Wrenn was able to get a breather in the second quarter with a :55 half. Into the clubhouse turn for the final time, Seafire (Scott Zeron) made a bid for the lead, and while it looked like he may not have anything for Act Fast in the turn, moving up the back stretch, he began to apply serious pressure, the pair getting to three-quarters in 1:22.2.
Turning for home, Act Fast turned away Seafire, but had to brace for Racing Rampage, who was as gutsy as they come through the stretch. In the end, Act Fast dug in gamely, holding off Racing Rampage to win by a nose in 1:50.2.
Owned by Burke Racing Stable, Knox Services, Rich Lombardo Racing, and Beasty LLC, the 4-year-old by Downbytheseaside pushed his career earnings to $535,624.