Bernie scored his fifth win in a row on Sunday (Jan. 9) despite being assigned the outside post in the $19,500 Open Handicap at MGM Northfield Park.
Bernie fired off the gate from post seven, leading at every call through times of :27.1, :55.3, 1:23.4 and 1:52, besting his closest contender Kiss Of Terror by a neck.
Jessica Millner trains and co-owns Bernie (Big Jim – Matilda – Artiscape) with Pod Stable LLC of Seven Hills, Ohio. Kurt Sugg was aboard the favourite, returning $4 to win.
The six-year-old gelding was a 13-time winner last year and has won 25 of 87 starts, banking $284,521.
Jones Earns GLADA Trot Triumph
Although they were challenged every step of the mile, Daniel Jones and The Next Triumph proved superior and hung on for a head victory in 1:57.2 to win the $9,200 GLADA Trot.
When the starter turned the field loose, Darrell Rideout sent My Indiana for the lead from the five-hole but that's exactly where Jones and The Next Triumph were headed and, since they had inside position, My Indiana was relegated to being parked out. Still, the two trotters battled head-to-head by a steppy :27.3 first quarter. And they were still heads apart by the half in :56.4.
When the field headed to the three-quarters, My Indiana was all done and The Next Triumph opened a two-length lead as he zipped by the third stanza in 1:26.3. But trouble was coming as Don Sherman, who was travelling along the pylons, rushed Dynamic Edge up to challenge for the lead. However, The Next Triumph was still in command when they headed for home. Understandably, Jones' trotter was tiring, but he reached down for more and was able to hold on for a head victory over Dynamic Edge in 1:57.2. Emerald Chip (Lauren Harmon) finished third, 5-1/2 lengths behind the winner.
The Next Triumph, a nine-year-old altered son of Triumphant Caviar, is co-owned by Ron Steck and Robert Smolko and trained by Steck. He paid $8.60 to win.
(Northfield Park and Great Lakes Amateur Drivers Association)