The Open trotting class at MGM Northfield Park proved challenging once again on Sunday (May 21), as the co-featured event not only produced the third different winner in three weeks but, for the third week in a row, a world record was set over the "Home of the Flying Turns."
Several horses left alertly when the starter gave the word "go," with favourite Eye Ofa Tiger As (Billy Davis Jr.) grabbing the lead midway around the first turn and Killer Instinct (Chris Lems) saving ground in the pocket. Into the backstretch for the first time, it appeared as if Tequila Talkin (Ronnie Wrenn Jr.) would be parked the mile, but Wrenn let him out a notch, getting to the lead before the quarter in :27.2.
Tequila Talkin would face no challengers, with the field remaining in straight alignment at the half in :56.
Winning Ticket (Aaron Merriman) was sent to the outside with three-eighths of a mile to go and the sprint was on into the backstretch. The two talented trotters matched strides to three-quarters in 1:23.3.
Duelling for much of the final quarter-mile, turning for home Tequila Talkin proved to have more left in the tank, drawing away to win by a length in a track and world record 1:51.3.
Owned by Burke Racing Stable, and Weaver Bruscemi, the eight-year-old Cantab Hall gelding pushed his earnings to $426,142. The Ron Burke pupil now has 41 career victories and he also set a new lifetime mark in the process.
The quick times would continue in the co-featured $20,000 Open Pace, with local Bernie (Ryan Stahl) cruising to a 1:49.4 victory.
Following a solid effort in the Wizard Invitational at Miami Valley Gaming on May 6, Bernie returned home to MGM Northfield Park, finishing third in his first start back in Northeast Ohio. The son of Big Jim made his way to the winner's circle on Sunday following a perfect pocket trip.
Leaving alertly from post two, Stahl quickly put Bernie into play, getting the jump on Saulsbrook Genesis (Wrenn) into the first turn. After stretching out Saulsbrook Genesis into the backstretch for the first time, Stahl released the favourite before the quarter in :26.1.
Wrenn was able to work out a :28.3 breather in the second quarter, but that was short-lived as Rockn Motion (Lems) and Almanac (Davis) began their bids on the outside. However, their bid was short-lived as they stalled up the backstretch.
Getting to three-quarters in 1:22.1, Wrenn tried to create separation, but Bernie continued hanging with the leader. Turning for home, Stahl was able to wear down Saulsbrook Genesis to win by a neck.
The win was the 40th career victory for the gelding, who is owned by trainer Jessica Millner and the POD Stable. With the win, he pushed his earnings to $536,758.
The low 14 per cent takeout Pick-6 featured each night at MGM Northfield Park went unclaimed again on Sunday. Consus Victory ($29), Dreamfair Charro ($28.20) and Power Blu ($13) all upended favourites causing a carryover of $2,905.25 into Tuesday's Pick-6. The 50-cent non-jackpot wager begins in Race 8.
Live harness racing resumes on Tuesday evening at 6 p.m. MGM Northfield Park currently races on Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
(Northfield Park)