A private purchase in 2020 has led to a love like no other for Bernie's connections, who has become a local favourite in Northeast Ohio. Sunday (Jan. 29) evening, he returns to the $18,000 Open Pace looking for redemption after being defeated last Sunday.

Judging him from his purse earnings of over $454,000, you would think that Bernie (Ryan Stahl) had a stakes-filled card with record performances. Still, the hard-hitting gelding has done all of his earning against upper-level conditioned company throughout his stellar career. A late bloomer, he began racing in his three-year-old season, and after a slow beginning, he took off.

While Bernie is smaller than most of his competitors, he has a huge personality and has built up a real following that grows with each race.

"It's amazing how many people reach out to us, asking when he is going to race again," said trainer Jessica Millner.  

According to his connections, he is a very laid-back racehorse who takes care of himself. "He lays down a lot, and we keep him next to his "girlfriend" to keep him happy."

Owned by the POD Stable and Millner, Bernie took an immediate liking to MGM Northfield Park, winning in only his second start for his new connections against the conditioned company. From that point, it was all systems go for the son of Big Jim, who continued to forge his way up the conditioned ranks.

"Purchasing Bernie was a bit of a gamble," said Millner. "We bought him at the height of the pandemic, but he showed some promising starts at Woodbine Mohawk Park, with some big last quarters."

Bernie's first Open class victory came on Dec. 20, 2020, where he closed from off the pace and drew off to an easy two-length victory over Carolina Beach in 1:52.2. At that point, his connections knew Bernie would be something special.

Following his four-year-old season, he was given two months off, and while he was competitive against the Open ranks, it took him a couple of starts to get going. Fast forward to April 3, 2021, where he won an upper-level conditioned pace in 1:50.4, a new lifetime mark at that time.  

Just 14 starts and another win later, Bernie would put up one of the most significant victories of his career against one of the strongest fields he had ever faced. He got the perfect trip that night, allowing Sectionline Bigry (Aaron Merriman) to cut the mile, setting some big fractions, and he not only passed the leader but held off a relentless Just Toyin With Ya (Chris Lems) to win in 1:50.

"We always knew he (Bernie) was a special animal, but the night he beat Sectionline Bigry, it was such an accomplishment, especially since he was able to come out of the race okay and return to the winner's circle the following week," said Millner.

Bernie has continued to rack up victories against the top-class pacers at Northfield Park, having won 35 of 125 career starts; he has earned $454,263 throughout his career.  

Millner admits that the time off to rest at certain points throughout the year truly helps her star out. "When he starts to tail off, that is his way of telling us that he needs a break; racing all year tends to take its toll on these high-powered athletes."

Bernie will take on a full field on Sunday night, including Bronx Seelster (Ronnie Wrenn Jr.), Dancin Dragon (Kurt Sugg), Mackeral A (Luke Ebersole), Rockn Motion (Hunter Myers), Zanetti (Merriman), Cool Man Dude (Eric Tharps Jr.), Pound Sign (Lems), and Bettor Than Spring (Billy Davis Jr).

Light Blue Movers (Merriman) will try to double up in the $18,000 Open Trot on Sunday evening.

Following a sixth-place effort two starts back, the Rhoades trainee rebounded nicely last week to win in come-from-behind fashion in 1:53.4.

He, too, takes on a full field, including Herecomescharlie B (Ryan Stahl), Hobbs (Davis Jr.), Making Dreams (Jason Thompson), Son Of Sona (Tharps Jr.), Shake N Bake (Sugg), Predator And Prey (Myers), Saint K (Lems), and Windsong Patriot (Wrenn Jr). 

Racing on Sunday kicks off at 6:00 p.m. with an action-packed 15-race program. The card is highlighted by the $10,000 guaranteed Pick-4 (R11) and $10,000 guaranteed Super High 5 (R13), free past performances for both wagers can be found by visiting the USTA website.

MGM Northfield Park currently races on Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. For more information on live racing and promotions, visit the Northfield Park website.

(MGM Northfield Park)