Northfield GLADA Trot to Floyd Rhodes

Northfield, Ohio — He didn’t have the best journey but obviously harness racing amateur driver Floyd Rhodes had the best horse and despite Back Door Man being hung-out the entire mile the veteran trotter rallied in the final strides to overtake the pacesetter and go on to a neck victory in the $9,200 Great Lakes Amateur Driving Association (GLADA) trot tonight at Northfield Park.

After starting from the eight-hole Rhodes sent Back Door Man out toward the front-end which was precisely what Vernon Beachy had in mind and since Beachy’s trotter, Shake It Off Lindy, cleared to the lead that left Back Door Man on the limb. But Rhodes didn’t panic.

He didn’t press for the lead and was content to sit on the outside as Shake It Off Lindy showed the way past the quarter in :29 and :by the half 59.2. But as the leaders approached the three-quarters Back Door Man moved up alongside Beachy’s trotter as the three quarter timer flashed 1:28.1.

When the field rounded the final turn and headed for paydirt Shake It Off Lindy and Back Door Man were head to head, nostrils to nostrils and were quickly joined by Go Go George (Larry Ferrari) and all three trotters were necks apart as they approached the finish line.

Amazingly, with a late surge, Back Door Man got the last call and the victory. Shake It Off Lindy was a neck back in second while a neck further back in third place was Go Go George in the 1:58.1 clocked mile.

BACK DOOR MAN REPLAY

Back Door Man, a 5-year-old Bluto gelding, is owned and trained by his driver. He paid $11.00 for win.

For full race results, click here.

MGM Northfield Park is announcing the addition of a $50,000 20¢ Super High Five total pool guarantee on Sunday (October 3).

Offered in race 13, the $50,000 Super High Five guaranteed total pool includes a carryover of $13,858.

This wager is being offered as part of the Strategic Wagering Program through the United States Trotting Association.

The evening’s eighth race begins the 50-cent (non-jackpot) Pick-6 with a $640 carryover.

Northfield’s Pick-5, Pick-4s, Pick-3s, 50¢ Pick-6 and 20¢ Super High Five offer a reduced takeout rate of just 14%.

Sunday’s post time is 6 PM.

by John Manzi, for GLADA