Tequila Talkin made short work of his foes on Sunday, March 3, scoring impressively in the featured $24,324 Open Trot at MGM Northfield Park.
With several horses leaving in the initial stages, Tequila Talkin was caught in between horses around the first turn but was guided to the pylons by Ronnie Wrenn Jr., clearing Up Helly AA (Kurt Sugg) as the field moved to the backstretch. Last week's Open winner, Oberto (Billy Davis Jr.), was caught three-deep and had to hustle to make his way into the pocket before a :27.4 opening quarter.
The order remained unchanged as Tequila Talkin got a :30 breather in the second panel, leading the field into the clubhouse turn for the final time. Up the backstretch for the final time, Wrenn stepped on the gas and Tequila Talkin responded, opening up a 2-1/2-length lead at three-quarters in 1:26.1.
Turning for home, Oberto made a miscue and jumped off stride while Tequila Talkin was confidently handled, drawing off in the stretch to win by open lengths in 1:54.2. Up Helly AA finished 8-3/4 lengths behind in second while Shamrock (Hunter Myers) finished third.
The victory was the third of the year from eight starts for the nine-year-old gelded son by Cantab Hall. He is trained by Michael Burke and owned by the partnership of Burke Racing Stable and Weaver Bruscemi. Picking up his 53rd career win, Tequila Talkin's bankroll climbed over the $600,000 mark.
Driver Aaron Merriman rounded out the night with four victories on the program while Randy Bendis and Jodi Schillaci had training doubles.
Live harness racing resumes on Tuesday, March 5 with a first post of 6 p.m.
(With files from Northfield Park; Photo of Tequila Talkin from a previous win)