The rains kept falling but it didn't deter any of the eight amateur drivers who were competing in a $9,000 Great Lakes Amateur Driver's Association (GLADA) Trot at Northfield Park on Saturday night (Dec. 18). Sure, they got muddy but, like professionals, they completed their mission, though it was veteran amateur Steve Oldford who walked away with the victory.
When the gate sprung, Darrell Rideout sent My Indiana to the lead in a speedy :28.1 first panel as the eventual winner, Pepin Coolie, floated away from the mobile gate and was third at the first quarter.
"It was heavy going down along the pylons, so I moved out in two-horse position where the footing was better and looked to move up," Oldford said.
My Indiana was still in command as he passed the halfway point in :59.2, but he had company. And when the leaders trotted by three-quarters, they were heads apart. But that didn't last long as Oldford urged Pepin Coolie and his trotter vaulted to the lead when he passed the three-quarter marker in 1:29.1 as Dynamic Edge moved up and was second at that point.
But for all practical purposes the race was over.
"My horse was strong and kept going forward," Oldford said, and then added "we opened daylight on the field and cruised home an easy open lengths winner in 1:59.3".
The margin of victory at the wire was four lengths as Dynamic Edge was second best. Larry Ferrari took home the show dough with So Wishful.
Pepin Coolie, an eight-year-old Swan For All gelding, gave Oldford his second win in as many starts together. He's owned by Oldford Racing and trained by Ethan Sisco and paid $4.80 for win.
(GLADA)