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Northfield, Ohio…July 4, 2024…Stoney Ridgetop (Wishing Stone) and harness racing driver John Konesky III teamed up to win the Great Lakes Amateur Driving Series (GLADA) at Northfield Park on Monday (July 1), stopping the timer in a seasonal best 1:56.1.
The five-year-old gelding, off at 2 to 5, left from the five post along with a pair of others starting onside of his marker, was four to five wide around the opening bend and, once straightened away on the backside had no trouble grinding his way to the top at the opener in :27.4.
With no challengers past the next to stations in :57.1 and 1:26,2, a :29.4 finale left no doubt at the end—the margin one length over the pocket-sitting Fred’s Dream Girl, handled by Ryan Deaton.
Admiral Allstar was next for Edward Miller, followed by Muscles For Life, with Ryan Hall handling the lines. Black Hawk Down picked up the final award for Marion Chupp.
STONEY RIDGETOP / JOHN KONESKY REPLAY
The win was the second in just five starts for Stoney Ridgetop with this trip to the winner’s circle being his 21st in 44 lifetime starts, good for $108,894 in career bounty.
In a post-race interview, Konesky said, “He’s just a very nice horse that loves to win. He’s handy and can do it any way but, with this post, I had to take a chance and get to the front.
“Yes, we were quite wide into the turn…but that’s Northfield and you play the hands you’re dealt.
“He did race great, though…made me look good!”
The 75-year-old Konesky, who trains and co-owns Stoney Ridgeton with Patrick Konesky, is no stranger to the winner’s circle, having 1,719 wins in a career going back close to a half century.
He also has 563 career training wins as he readies “76 trombones” for his upcoming signature birthday on July 30.
The winner paid $2.80 to his multitude of faithful.
GLADA is just one of several amateur driving clubs throughout the United States with 100% of all monies earned by drivers in amateur competition earmarked for charitable causes.
For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.
by John Berry, for GLADA
