Fred’s Dream Girl kicks off GLADA season

Northfield, Ohio…May 14, 2025…The Great Lakes Amateur Driving Association (GLADA) kicked off their 2025 harness racing season at Northfield Park on Tuesday, May 13, with Fred’s Dream Girl teaming Ryan Deaton to score in 1:56.4.

The eight-year-old daughter of Team Six, leaving with the inside post, was reserved off the hot early fractions before rallying in the drive for the wire to hold off the fastest closing Bo Nanza Chip, with Lavern Miller handling the lines, to score by a half length.

The pacesetting Magical Journey, off as the 4 to 5 favorite with Lauren Harmon in the bike, held on for third.

Johnnyreds Victory, chasing the leader throughout, was fourth for Edward Miller while Holton overcame the outside eight post to pick up the nickel.

As the wings folded, Magical Journey scorched forward and opened up along lead and cut sharp panels of :27.2, :56.3 and 1:25.3 with Johnnyreds Victory, Fred’s Dream Girl and Bo Nanza Chip next in line.

On the backside, driver Ryan Deaton sent Fred’s Dream Girl gnawing away, cutting the margin to just under three lengths turning for home and then on by in the lane before safely holding off the late surge of Bo Nanza Chip.

FRED’S DREAM GIRL REPLAY

In a post-race interview, driver Ryan Deaton, who primarily concentrates on the training side of the ledger these days, related, “When the gate opened, Lauren’s horse, Magical Journey, was a little hot and I didn’t want to get involved in any duels early so we just settled in third.

“Those early numbers were pretty hot, too, and, on the backside, I thought it was time to get going.

“This mare can really turn it on when straightened away and, once we made the front, I was confident she’d hold on.”

For Fred’s Dream Girl, trained by Cory Kreiser for owner Amber Najor, it was her fourth win of the year in 18 starts with her scorecard now 4-5-4 in those starts worth $36,932. She’s banked $193,470 lifetime.

For Ryan Deaton, it was his first win in a “bit” over three years—April 19, 2022—with Fred’s Dream Girl rewarding her faithful with a $9.20 mutuel as third choice.

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results

by John Berry, for GLADA