Northfield, OH — For the third consecutive week, Up Front Kellie Jo was up to the task in the $9,500 Fillies and Mares Open Pace on Thursday (April 3) in Northfield Park’s fifth race. She is trained by Rob Harmon for owners C. Ed Mullinax and Mark Ford. Josh Sutton has been in the bike for the trio of victories.

Up Front Kellie Jo (Bettor’s Delight-Life’s Highway-Life Sign) was assigned the outside and let her competition set the :27.4 and :56 early fractions. Sutton tipped the mare four-wide approaching the 1:25.3 three-quarters. Up Front Kellie Jo struck the front in the stretch and bested her competition by a full length in 1:55.3 over a sloppy surface. Completing the race were Power Everywhere, Sweetheart Dance, Y Mach Me, Canaco Star, It Must Be Magic and Special Lady D.

Thursday’s win was the 42nd career victory for Up Front Kellie Jo and increased her lifetime earnings to $841,097. She was the race favorite and returned $3.60 to win.

— Ayers Ratliff

Saratoga Casino and Raceway
Brussel Sprout (Glidemaster) completed a training double for Heidi Rohr on Thursday night at Saratoga Casino and Raceway. The trotter was dropping down from the $15,000 claimers when he finally moved to a good post with Shawn Gray in the sulky. The morning line favorite, Brussel Sprout followed the cover of the race’s public choice before tipping three wide around the final turn. The 5-year-old trotter had plenty left in the tank to cruise by his rivals before securing a 2:01 victory. Brussel Sprout went off at odds of 7-2 and completed a double for Saratoga’s defending Trainer of the Year Heidi Rohr, who also teamed up with Gray for a victory with pacer Chrome Seelster (Stonebridge Regal).