Ohio Sires Stakes champion Smothastenesewisky looked like her old self on Saturday, Dec. 9, getting the perfect trip on her way to winning the $18,000 Filly and Mare Open Handicap Pace at MGM Northfield Park.

Hustled off the wings early, Smothastenesewisky (Billy Davis Jr.) was put into play early around the first turn but had to deal with immediate pressure from A Delightful Act N (Hunter Myers), who cleared into the backstretch. 

A Delightful Act N led the field through an impressive :27.1 opening quarter and had no pressure to deal with heading to the half in :56.3 -- that is when things began to change as Creme Delight (Ronnie Wrenn Jr.) began her bid first-over.  

It appeared Creme Delight would engage A Delightful Act N into the backstretch, but at three-quarters in 1:24.4, A Delightful Act N repelled the challenge from the Ron Burke trainee. It was midway around the far turn when Smothastenesewisky bounded out of the pocket and glided past A Delightful Act N through the stretch to win by 1-3/4 lengths in 1:53.3 over the sloppy track. Sea Rose (Eric Tharps Jr.) closed gamely to be third.

Owned by Mackenzie Haynes and trained by Brian Haynes, the five-year-old daughter of Nob Hill High pushed her career earnings to $529,482 with her 10th win of the season and 30th victory lifetime.

Sherman Steers Sir Ballykeel To Victory In Amateur Action

Amateur driver Don Sherman, who drove his first qualifying race 30 years ago at the age of 19, appears to, finally, be reaching his prime in the sulky as he drove the trotter Sir Ballykeel to a handy victory in the Great Lakes Amateur Driving Association’s (GLADA) event on Saturday night.

Sherman and his charge defeated eight rivals—one being the weather—in sloppy conditions this night and wound up 4-1/2 lengths clear at the wire In 1:58.1. Wild And Crazy Guy (Braiden Rhoades) came from well back early on to finish second while Sir Wishfull (Larry Ferrari), even further back early—16-1/2 lengths at the opening call—rallied for third.

As the wings folded on this sloppy night, Magic MVP (Darrell Rideout) blasted out of the gate with this 30-1 shot and, around the opening turn, had a widening lead measuring about a half-dozen lengths at the opening marker in a “hot” :28 on this “cool,” damp night. 

Sir Ballykeel, the 4-5 toteboard favourite, was a patient second and still six lengths back at the half in :57.3. 

On the backside, that lead began to melt quickly and was just about all gone as Sir Ballykeel looked the leader in then eye at the third station in 1:27.2. From there, the issue was never in doubt as Sir Ballykeel widened his lead to the wire.

Magic MVP did hold on for fourth, just a nose better than Dontyousayit (Christina Johnson), who began from the second tier.

For Sherman, it was his 41st success this season, his best since 2005 when he won 43 times, and, in terms of purse money, 2023 has been his best, banking $332,790 for GLADA charitable distribution.

For Sir Ballykeel, it’s his best year as well with this win vaulting the four-year-old Il Sogno Dream gelding's scorecard to 5-3-8 in 32 starts, good for $50,180. His lifetime earnings sit just shy of the $100,000 mark.

Sir Ballykeel, owned by Paul O’Neil, is a new arrival in the Jessica Roegner stable and has won two of three starts in his new home.

He rewarded his many faithful with a $3.80 win mutuel.

Live racing resumes on at Northfield Park on Sunday, Dec. 10 at 6 p.m. Sunday's card will start with a bang in the Super High Five after no one could correctly solve the 10-horse 13th race puzzle Saturday night. The $9,462 carryover will move to Race 1 on Sunday and cover an estimated pool of $60,000. The bet features a low 14 per cent takeout and a minimum base bet of 20 cents.

(With files from Northfield Park & GLADA)