Harness racing’s Great Lakes Amateur Driving Series (GLADA) continued at Northfield Park on Sunday, Sept. 24 and after an equine war of sorts the last half-mile, Larry Ferrari, driving Golden Genes, held off a spirited Another Breath, with Floyd Rhodas handling the lines, by a half length.
Admiral Allstar, with Edward Miller in the sulky, finished third just a length away while Brigotto and Henry Beachy teamed up for fourth. Fly Like Jesse, driven by Lauren Harmon, picked up the nickel in the field of seven.
With a purse of $10,000 looming, Ferrari sent Golden Genes right to the front from the five post and took charge early and guided his charge to an opening quarter in :29.3. A second quarter breather possibility went up in smoke as Another Breath came to challenge and those two were just a neck apart halfway through the mile in :59.3.
Ferrari stepped on the gas pedal on the backside in an attempt to put a bit of daylight between the two and, at the third station in 1:28.3, had a bit more than a length lead. Turning for home, the pesky Another Breath wouldn’t go away but Ferrari urged his charge home and took the top spot by that slim half-length margin in 1:58.4.
For Golden Genes, it was win number four in 20 starts this year and sent his seasonal earnings to $25,923 and lifetime bankroll to $138,264.
Jimmy Smith trains the six-year-old Big Stick Lindy gelding for owner Kiesha Ferrari with the winner returning $5 to his many faithful.
For Ferrari, it was his 378th career victory and his 6-5-6 scorecard this semester in 36 starts has his batting average just a “nose” below .300.
(With files from GLADA)