Eye Ofa Tiger As has been a staple among the Open trotters at MGM Northfield Park and on Sunday (May 7), he continued to show his foes who was boss with a jaw-dropping track and world record 1:52 victory in the $20,000 event.
The previous record holder for an aged trotting gelding on a half-mile track was Smoking Jet, who won the Tom Aldrich President's Trot in 1:52.1.
Shockingly, off his victory last week, Eye Ofa Tiger As was sent off as the second choice behind Burke trainee Tequila Talkin.
Unsurprisingly, Big Bad Caviar left off the wings, as he had set some wicked fractions before tiring in recent weeks. Eye Ofa Tiger As also left, finally clearing the leader at the quarter in :27.1.
Through an uncontested second half in :56.1, the outer flow began to develop with Barn Hall flushed out of fourth by Killer Instinct and Tequila Talkin.
With three-eighths of a mile to trot, driver Billy Davis Jr. stepped on the gas with the son of Chapter Seven and opened by 1-1/2 lengths trying to create some separation. He scooted to three-quarters in 1:24.1 up by 3-1/2 lengths.
Turning for home, Eye Ofa Tiger As showed no signs of slowing down under no urging from Davis, winning by 4-3/4 lengths. Killer Instinct dug in for second while Tequila Talkin closed for third.
Owned by ACL Stuteri Ab and Kjell Johansson and trained by Mark Headworth, the talented trotter continued his quest to millionaire status, with earnings of just shy of $875,000. He has 39 victories in 149 starts.
In the co-featured Open Pace, the inside three all left alertly with Almanac clearing through the first eighth of a mile. Carolina Beach was able to push past into the backstretch. The field reached the quarter in a snappy :26.4 with no one moving a muscle at the half in :55.1.
Into the backstretch for the final time, Saulsbrook Genesis began his bid from fifth, carrying One Last Laugh along for a perfect trip.
At three-quarters in 1:22.4, Saulsbrook Genesis engaged Carolina Beach and the two tussled through most of the stretch with Almanac trying to close up the inside, but Carolina Beach was kept to task, winning by a neck in 1:50.3.
Owned by trainer Renee Bercury, the son of the late Somebeachsomewhere has earned $698,823 with 54 victories to his credit. Aaron Merriman drove Carolina Beach to victory.
Live harness racing resumes on Tuesday evening (May 9) at 6 p.m. (EDT).
(Northfield Park)