Driver Don Irvine, Jr. nabbed his 7,000th lifetime during Tuesday’s card of racing at Northfield Park thanks to a come-from-behind victory with Ridge Park.
Ridge Park and Irvine sat back patiently as Sky Lauxmont set the early pace. Sky Lauxmont opened a three-length lead early and no one made a real move until just past the half-mile marker. Going to the half Blak Smokn Hot Rod could wait no longer and tipped to the outside to go after the leaders. He was followed by Ridge Park who had to tip three–wide as Blak Smokn Hot rod was not advancing. Going up the back stretch Sky Lauxmont still had a two-length lead and took on all challengers, but Ridge Park’s three-wide move around the final turn proved to be the winning one. He drew clear to win by 2-1/4 lengths in 1:56.1.
Driver Don Irvine, Jr., a career winner in excess of $34 million, has racked up 93 wins and just over $600,000 in earnings this season. The 64-year-old, who is a fan favourite at Northfield Park, was the leading driver over the Flying Turns in 1975, 1976, 1980, 1982, 1983, and 1984. His success at Northfield secured him the honour of being a Northfield Park Wall of Fame inductee in 1991.
Irvine currently sits ninth in the Northfield Park driver standings 87 first-place finishes throughout the 2015 season.
(Northfield Park)