Kid Russell relishes muddy strip in Ohio

Just 15 days after finishing second in his 2022 debut, Kid Russell found the muddy surface at Mahoning Valley to his liking and wired the field going six furlongs under Luis Rivera to gain his third career victory.

The 5-year-old Ohio-bred by Gone Astray shot out of the gate from the 3 post and took the lead along the inside in a :22.91 quarter. He continued in front past a half in :47.51, knocked off his only two challengers at the top of the stretch and went on to score by three lengths. Kid Russell paid $6.20 and the $11,700 paycheck increased his career total to $78,530, with $15,600 coming in his two January starts.