The fall-series finals of the Great Lakes Amateur Drivers Association's (GLADA) trots went to post Saturday (Nov. 13) at Northfield Park. Lauren Harmon won the $12,500 series final with her own Emerald Chip in 1:56.3 while Manny Miller copped the $8,500 consolation with Mesmerized in 1:59.4.
After starting from the pole position in the series finale, Harmon left sharply with Emerald Chip only to yield command to Jamie Coffy and Rev It Up Man as they led the field by the quarter in :28.2. Coffy then kept the pedal to the metal and was on top at the halfway point in :57.1. Meanwhile, Harmon was getting a two-hole trip which continued all the way to the top of the lane, at which point Emerald Chip rallied to take command and then go on to a solid one-length win over Rev It Up Man two lengths farther back. Eddie Miller and Next Woman Up garnered the show dough.
Emerald Chip is a veteran eight-year-old Chip Chip Hooray gelding who is also trained by Ms Harmon. Sent at odds of 9-2, he paid $11 to win.
In the series consolation, Steve Oldford grabbed the lead with Kafir Kemp and they showed the way by the first quarter in :29.1 and they got first call as they zipped by the half in :59.3. At that point, Manny Miller moved Mesmerised off the pylons and they went head to head with Kafir Kemp up the backside and into the final turn. But when the headed for paydirt, Kafir Kemp tired and Mesmerised opened a short lead, which was needed to hold off a charging Dominus Hanover.
In the deep stretch, both trotters were heads apart all the way to the wire but Mesmerised prevailed by a neck. Fultons Fury finished third for Darrell Rideout.
Mesmerised is a nine-year-old Cantab Hall gelding owned by Kennedy Sports LLC. and trained by Clair Umholtz. He paid $14.20 for win.
(GLADA)