Baby Yoda masters GLADA trot

Northfield, Ohio…October 1, 2023…Harness racing returned to Northfield Park on Sunday night (Oct. 1) with the Great Lakes Amateur Driving Association kicking off the festivities with a Star Wars twist.

It is well known that Yoda was a legendary Jedi master with very strong connections with the Force in Star Wars.

Baby Yoda (Break The Bank K) showed his strength against eight very tough opponents at Northfield Park on Sunday evening as this five-year-old fought valiantly nearly every step of the mile to prevail in the $10,000 GLADA trot, covering the mile in 1:56.1 for driver Edward Miller.

The margin was a half-length at the wire with the stubborn Another Breath, handled by Floyd Rhodes, running out of racetrack and finishing second.

Favored Muscles For Hire, with Steve Oldford in his sulky, was unable to use his natural early speed from his six post but rallied to hit the board finishing third, 2 1/2 lengths away.

Mr. Houdini, driven by Don Sherman was next with Fly Jesse Fly picking up the nickel for Lauren Harmon.

The event was action packed from first stride to last as Baby Yoda only had one other to beat off the wings as the inside trotter made a miscue and Miller had his charge on top fairly easily on the way to the first station.

But then came a challenge from Golden Genes, who brushed up join the leader at the opening marker in a hot :27.3.

MiIler had a decision to make—let him go or hang him out to dry like wet laundry. He chose the latter and the war continued to the halfway mark (:56.2) with Golden Genes even sticking his whisker in front.

Around turn two and on to the backside, Golden Genes began to stall with Another Breath then making a double-bubble binge into second with Muscles For Life following in the hoof prints of that double bubble move.

Turning for home, Baby Yoda cut the corner and drew off by about two lengths and then bravely held firm in the final stages.

BABY YODA REPLAY

In a post-race interview, the 26-year-old Miller reflected on the race saying, “He (Baby Yoda) doesn’t seem to win that often, but he likes to be in the thick of the action and he was very good in his last start in Delaware (Ohio). It was a very game performance. I guess the ‘force’ was with him today!’”

The win was only the third in 33 starts for Baby Yoda but his scorecard of 3-12-6 vaulted his earnings this semester to $56,516 and $145,505 lifetime.

Miller also trains Baby Yoda for Rebecca Sugg and Watson Harness Racing.

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.

by John Berry, for Northfield Park