Nine members of the The Great Lakes Amateur Drivers Association (GLADA) convened at Northfield Park on Saturday (Sept. 26) for a trot in the club's year-long series, and when the judges declared the race official Here Comes Mooney and driver Darrell Rideout emerged victorious in a time of 1:57.
But it took the photo-finish camera to determine that Rideout's trotter was the winner in a tight three-horse photo. Here Comes Mooney finished a neck in front of Mesmerised with Allen Sisco and Gonna Fly right there, just head behind the first two.
When the race started Brian Miller sent the betting favourite, Stick With Me Kid, to the lead ad were challenged by the eventual winner who was second on the limb as the field passed the first stanza. However, at the halfway point Here Comes Mooney had pylon position and took command as Stick With Me Kid faded. From there it was a battle as Mesmerised picked up the chase and at the three-quarters Mesmerised was challenging for the lead. In third place, Gonna Fly was within striking distance and they raced heads apart all the way to the wire.
Rideout had a driver's license for over 20 years and drove only occasionally. But this year he scored his third seasonal driving victory
Here Comes Moony notched his 7th seasonal win. Sent off at odds of over 7-2 Here Comes Moony paid $9.60 for win. He's owned by Joe Cirasuola and trained by Chris Allen.
The next event in the GLADA Series will be at the Red Mile on Oct 2.
(GLADA)