Trainer Ron Burke collected both Open events at Northfield Park on Sunday night (April 2).
His pupil Tequila Talkin continued to reign supreme against his peers, winning the $19,000 Open Trot for the second straight week.
Winning Shadow left alertly from post two and worked his way around inside speed through the first turn. That move left Tequila Talkin parked through much of the first quarter, but the favourite finally cleared the lead at the quarter in :28.4.
Into the far turn for the first time, the two leaders created separation from the others in the field, and coming to the half in :57.1; there was no change in position as driver Ronnie Wrenn Jr. was able to work out a breather with the favourite.
Dont Take My Keys was the first to make a move on the leaders into the clubhouse turn for the final time. With the outer flow not developing, Tequila Talkin continued getting things his way at three-quarters in 1:25.3.
Through the stretch, Eye Ofa Tiger As tipped three-wide to take his shot at the leader, but they came up three-quarters of a length short, with Tequila Talkin winning in 1:54.2. Winning shadow dug in for third, with Gold Stones finishing fourth.
It was the 39th victory for Tequila Talking, a son of Cantab Hall who has now won two of three starts this year. He has earned $393,317 for owners Burke Racing Stable LLC, Weaver Bruscemi LLC, and trainer Ron Burke.
Burke would repeat in the $19,000 Open later in the evening as Saulsbrook Genesis (Wrenn Jr.) avenged his defeat over Bernie from last week, scoring a game victory in 1:50.2.
Speedy Dominic A got the jump on the field through the first turn. Still, Speedy Dominic A would have to deal with last week's winner Bernie, who was able to work his way past the leader at the quarter in :26.4. Bernie got a little bit of a breather to a :55 half, but that is when things began to heat up.
Saulsbrook Genesis pulled at the half and began to make his move. Into the backstretch, he and Bernie got to three-quarters in 1:22.4. Matching strides through most of the final quarter, Saulsbrook Genesis finally worked his way past Bernie in the final strides to win by a half-length.
Owned by the No Recall Stable of Strongsville, Ohio, the son of Sunshine Beach has earned $181,699 in 45 starts. The victory was the fourth of the season for the talented gelding.
Live racing resumes on Tuesday evening (April 4) at 6 p.m. (EDT). MGM Northfield Park currently races on Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
(Northfield Park)