A talented field of amateur drivers convened at Northfield Park this evening to compete in a $9,200 GLADA Trot. And when the judges declared the event official, JD Yoder emerged victorious after he guided Bo Nanza Chip to a 1:56.4 victory over nine others.
Sent as the odds-on favourite, Yoder sent his trotter for the lead when the wings of the mobile gate folded but they encountered Don Sherman, who had similar thoughts with Sass, and the two raced side by side to the first quarter in :29. But Sherman kept the pressure on Yoder and they were one-two as they passed the half in :58. At that point, Sass tired and Bo Nanza Chip trotted clear and showed the way by three-quarters in 1:27.
While leaders were battling, Lauren Harmon sat chilly in second along the pylons with Emerald Chip. And when the field rounded the final turn, she urged her trotter and he responded and attacked Bo Nanza Chip, who had been challenged every step of the way and was undoubtedly leg weary. Still, the veteran trotter reached down for more and found some life as Emerald Chip reached his throat latch but could go no further and Bo Nanza Chip led his competitor to the finish line for a 1:56.4 victory. Third place went to Tootie, who rallied from eighth at the half to garner the show dough.
The winner, a five-year old Bands Gold Chip gelding, is owned and trained by his driver. He paid $3 for the win.
(GLADA)