Oak Grove, KY — Last season’s Minnesota Harness Horse of the Year, DP Freedoms Chrome, continued his tear in the top class at Oak Grove Racing, Gaming & Hotel on Tuesday afternoon (June 3) with a 1:51.3 win — two-fifths of a second off the track record — in the $33,000 Open Trot.
Leaving from post six, driver Marvin Luna secured the lead with DP Freedoms Chrome after a :26.4 first quarter. He slowed to a :55.3 half as the field started separating into two packs, which prompted Iwon’t Backdown As (driven by Tony Hall) to push off the pegs in search of a closer seat. Luna let DP Freedoms Chrome chug up the backstretch and clicked past three-quarters in 1:22.4 with still plenty in reserve for the stretch drive. DP Freedoms Chrome coasted to a 1-3/4-length win in hand while Whiskey Lou (Marcus Miller) tried to rally off a pocket trip but settled for second.
Iwon’t Backdown As settled for third and Country Mamma (Andy Shetler) snagged fourth, another seven lengths behind. Double millionaire and even-money favorite Amigo Volo (David Miller) saved ground throughout in the back of the pack and settled for fifth.
A 4-year-old stallion by For You Almostfree trained by Wayne Oke, DP Freedoms Chrome won his 27th race from 39 starts and has now earned $326,675 for owner Aimes Racing. He paid $5.44 to win.
Racing continues at Oak Grove on Monday (June 9). First-race post time at Oak Grove is 1:25 p.m. (CDT). For more information on Oak Grove, visit oakgrovegaming.com.