Trainer Ron Burke swept both featured events at MGM Northfield Park on Sunday, Dec. 10 with Tequila Talkin scoring his 50th career victory in the $18,000 Open Trot and Night Shadow rallying from off the pace to win the $18,000 Open Pace. Ronnie Wrenn Jr. drove both Open winners.
In the Open Trot, Tequila Talkin's journey to victory was not an easy one, with Kandy Sweet (Billy Davis Jr.) and Up Helly AA (Aaron Meriman) leaving alertly, which left Tequila Talkin four-wide into the initial turn.
Into the backstretch, Up Helly AA drove to the front around Kandy Sweet with Winning Shadow (Chris Lems) engaging the leader. Winning Shadow worked his way past Kandy Sweet before the quarter in :28. Tequila Talkin, who was parked for much of the opening quarter, finally found a hole in fourth.
At the half in an easy :58, Wrenn stepped on the gas with Tequila Talkin, with longshot Swan Tixie (Kurt Sugg) on his back. Across the backstretch, Lems tried to create some separation with Winning Shadow as he held his foes at bay at three-quarters in 1:26.2.
Into the far turn, Tequila Talkin continued to grind away at the leader. Through the stretch, Tequila Talkin worked his way past Winning Shadow, winning by a half-length in 1:55.4.
Owned by Burke Racing Stable and Weaver Bruscemi, the son of Cantab Hall pushed his earnings to $541,242. It was Tequila Talkin's 13th win of 2023 from 26 starts.
Wrenn managed to work out a much easier trip with Night Shadow in the co-featured Open Pace, finding a hole after leaving from post eight in sixth. Market Based (Lems) and Cyclone Banner (Merriman) tussled around the first turn, with Makin Some Noise (Sugg) powering up three-deep.
By the quarter in :26.3, there had already been two lead changes, with Makin Some Noise powering past rivals into the far turn for the first time. Sugg got a breather in the second quarter, getting to the half in :56, with Bettor Than Spring (Hunter Myers) beginning to apply pressure, as Night Shadow got a perfect second-over trip.
Into the backstretch, Bettor Than Spring began to waiver, so Wrenn tipped Night Shadow three-wide to take a shot at Makin Some Noise, who had kicked to a 1-1/4-length advantage. Makin Some Noise battled past three-quarters in 1:24, with Night Shadow continuing to forge forward under heavy urging.
Through the stretch, it appeared Makin Some Noise would hold off Night Shadow, but Night Shadow found another gear and powered past winning by a half-length in 1:52.3.
The four-year-old by Shadow Play has now won two straight for owners Burke Racing Stable and Weaver Bruscemi LLC. A career winner of 13 races and $142,525 in purses, Night Shadow has gone 10-for-30 this year.
Live harness racing resumes on Monday, Dec. 11 at 6 p.m. MGM Northfield Park currently races on Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
(With files from Northfield Park; Photo of Talkin Tequila winning on Dec. 10 at Northfield)