There were no big upsets in the featured events on Monday, Oct. 23 at MGM Northfield Park as Makin Some Noise and Tequila Talkin took down their respective $22,000 Open contests.
Makin Some Noise (Kurt Sugg) returned to the winner's circle after the Open Pace, after being parked the mile at Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway last week following a 10-day layoff. Unlike the trip he got there, things were much more manageable on Monday; leaving alertly with Masons Delight N (Aaron Merriman) and Market Based (Ronnie Wrenn Jr.), he found a hole in third around the initial turn.
There was no change in order at the quarter in :27, but the outer flow began to develop coming to the half in :56.2 with One Last Laugh (Hunter Myers) flushing out Makin Some Noise from third into the clubhouse turn for the final time.
Makin Some Noise worked past Masons Delight N before three-quarters in 1:23.4, but Masons Delight N wasn't done yet, battling back at the inside. Turning for home, Makin Some Noise put away Masons Delight N, but pressure immediately came from Market Based in the passing lane. Through the stretch, Makin Some Noise was able to hold off Market Based to win by a neck in 1:53.2.
Owned by Rebecca Sugg and trained by Edward Miller, the five-year-old son of Always B Miki pushed his career earnings to $312,885 with his 22nd lifetime win. Makin Some Noise (pictured above) matched his seasonal win total of nine from a year ago.
Favourite Tequila Talkin had no anxious moments in the co-featured Open Trot, winning easily in 1:56.1.
Tequila Talkin (Wrenn Jr.) left alertly from post eight, but Mac Deeno (Ryan Stahl) defended pylon position well and stretched the son of Cantab Hall out, making him work for the lead. Finally clearing before a quarter in :28.4, Wrenn led comfortably into the far turn for the first time.
Getting a :29.3 breather in the second panel, Tequila Talkin led the field in straight alignment by the stands for the first time. Long Live The King (Sugg) was sent outside into the clubhouse turn for the final time and took the lead momentarily entering the backstretch. Heading to three-quarters in 1:26.3, Wrenn stepped on the gas and Tequila Talkin responded, pushing right by Long Live The King, who tried to battle back on the outside.
Turning for home, Tequila Talkin was kept to task and drew off easily. Mac Deeno battled back to be second and Long Live The King was third.
Owned by Burke Racing Stable and Weaver Bruscemi, and trained by Ron Burke, the eight-year-old pushed his career earnings to $504,498 with his 47th career win (10th of the season).
Live harness racing resumes on Tuesday, Oct. 24 at 6 p.m. MGM Northfield Park currently races Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.
(With files from Northfield Park)