French longshot promoted to GLADA win

Northfield, Ohio, November 13, 2023…Northfield Park’s Great Lakes Amateur Driving Club (GLADA) had as many twists and turns as Northfield Park’s great half-mile harness racing track and, when the “OFFICIAL” sign was posted, driver Jacob Baird had a 15-year-old trotter, Ursis Des Caillons (Cool Du Caux), on top in the field of eight.

The French bred senior citizen, allowed to participate in amateur events only at his age, had been winless in 16 starts coming into the action with only one third place finish in 2023 with the tote-board at 67 to 1 reflecting that.

But 20-year-old driver Jacob Baird, in the sulky for trainer Justin Ferrari, gave this eventual winner a perfect drive setting up the huge upset.

With the 1 to 5 tote-board favorite, Lady’s Dude (actually 3 to 10) expected to dominate the field, driver Edward Miller sent his charge right to the lead and carved up panels of :29, :58.4 and 1:28 with Ursis Des Coillons doing the stalking from his number one post with  Dontyousayit, driven by Christina Johnson, third.

Into the final bend, Dontyousayit made a bid and moved on even terms with the leader with Ursis Des Collins sitting chilly and close up while So Wishfull, far back early was brushing strongly and just two lengths away but not really having clear sailing in traffic.

Turning for home, the passing lane at NFLD opened up, with the favorite fighting to hang on with Ursis Des Caillons, taking the shortest route, and Dontyousay it and So Wishfull in assault.

Yards from the finish, Lady’s Dude made the costly miscue that continued right through the 1:58.3 wire with the trio of challengers all closing in and “lapped on” the leader.

After the judges review, the disqualification of Lady’s Dude moved the others in pursuit up a notch each and Ursis Des Caillons had his first win of the season.

URSIS DES CAILLONS REPLAY

After the event, driver Jacob Baird said, “You know, Ursis (des Caillons) might have a bit of age on him these days but he always tries hard. With the inside post, I thought I’d try and give him a trip right behind the leader and draft along. I knew he had lots of class and I really thought I could be right there. I might not have thought so from the six or seven or eight post but, from the inside, I thought that might make a big difference.”

It sure did.

Ursis Des Caillons was awarded his 26th lifetime win—18th in the U.S.A—sending his career earnings to $521,841 with $223,527 of that earned in the U.S.A., as well.

The winner paid $136.00, to win keying a $1 exacta payoff of $506.90, a $1 trifecta of $1,464.90 and a 20 cent superfecta bonanza of $2,228.04.

The winner, by the way, is owned by Fox Racing, Inc. of New York.

The GLADA Amateur Club members donate all of their earnings from their races for charitable distribution benefitting countless organizations involved in sanctuaries for retired horses, therapeutic training assisting those in need from traumatic occurrences and other worthwhile causes.

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

by John Berry, for GLADA