Melillo looks to break through in $300,000 G2 Carl Milstein Memorial

By Kenny Livengood:

The field is set for the 2026 $300,000 Grade 2 Carl Milstein Memorial, and one of the sport’s most accomplished young pacers will arrive at Northfield looking to finally break through on the Grand Circuit.

Melillo, a member of trainer Ron Burke’s powerhouse stable, figures to be among the horses to beat when the three-year-old pacing stars line up for Northeast Ohio’s premier sophomore pacing event. He was installed as the 7-5 morning line favorite by Director of Racing Dave Bianconi. 

The talented son of Sweet Lou has been knocking on the door of a major Grand Circuit victory all season, and he will get another opportunity to claim his first on Saturday with Ronnie Wrenn Jr. in the sulky.

Melillo enters the Milstein after back-to-back runner-up finishes behind his Burke stablemate Al Papi in both the Delvin Miller Adios elimination and final. In the Adios final, Al Papi powered to a 1:48.1 victory at The Meadows, with Melillo right there after chasing his stablemate to the wire.

The Adios was just the latest in a season that has seen Melillo take on virtually every major challenge placed in front of him.

He finished fourth in both the Meadowlands Pace and the MGM Messenger Stakes, while also earning a fifth-place finish in the North America Cup. Melillo has continued to dance every dance against the best three-year-old pacers in North America, consistently putting himself in position to contend on racing’s biggest stages.

That consistency has led to him being the expected favorite for the Carl Milstein Memorial.

Melillo will be driven by Ronnie Wrenn Jr., who will also be looking to add the Carl Milstein Memorial to his list of major victories. Wrenn Jr. has already established himself as one of Ohio’s premier reinsmen and has been aboard Melillo throughout his campaign, including his runner-up finish in the Adios final. The partnership will now look to make its breakthrough on Northfield Park’s half-mile oval.

The Carl Milstein Memorial has long served as one of the premier stops on the Grand Circuit, and this year’s field that lines up for the 13th edition promises to bring together another thrilling race.