Indianaslittlepete finds passing lane glory

Northfield, Ohio…Nov. 12, 2025…On a cold, raw evening at Northfield Park, the Creat Lakes Amateur Driving Association (GLADA) continued their competition and Indianaslittlepete, patiently handled by Ryan Deaton, took the shortest route home to win for Ryan Deaton.

The seven-year-old gelded son of Uncle Peter, in the garden spot just waiting for some room to roam, found it turning for home to score by three-parts-of-a-length over a late-charging Vroom N Vonnie, handled by Joseph Cramp.

Jett Rink, who cut the mustard for much of the mile, finished third for Bill Rhoades while Swan On. A Mission was another half-length back in fourth.

Fox Valley Nautica, with Larry Ferrari in his sulky, picked up the nickel.

INDIANASLITTLEPETE REPLAY

At the outset, Indianaslittlepere was alert leaving from his post two but Jet Rink, inside, out-rushed him around the opening turn into the lead as Swan On A Mission settled in third with the second tier starting Vroom N Vonnie, next.

Through a :28.3 opener and :59.4 half, Jett Rink had a bit of company at the third station in 1:30.1 with Vroom N Vonnie on a double-bubble binge and Indianaslittlepete forced to be patient and looking for the passing lane.

Turning for the money, Indianaslittlepete found it and took the shortest path to the wire for the win.

In a post-race interview, Ryan Deaton said, “The conditions weren’t the best…it was chilly and the track was really deep but all of us have to deal the same thing.

“We drew well, were away well and Billy (Rhoades with Jett Rink) shot on through—just like he should have done—and took the lead.

“On the backside (going to the 3/4s) he got some company and I stayed put on the inside—sometimes you’re forced into doing the smart thing—and found some room turning for home, that’s about it!

“He’s big horse and we went through a two-three pylons when we were squeezed a bit but I was going in a straight line, so it was all good!”

Trained by Jessica Miller, who co-owns with Thomas O’Donnell, the win bolstered Indianaslittlepete’s scorecard to 2-2-5 in 28 starts, good for $27,304 this semester and $66,292 lifetime.

As second choice in the betting, Indianaslittle paid returned $6.00 to his faithful.

GLADA is one of several amateur clubs whose members generously donate their earnings in these amateur events too worthy charitable causes benefitting local communities and national outreach programs. Included are standardbred horse rescue operations to the training of standardbreds for therapeutic purposes for “children of all ages—2 to 92.”

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

by John Berry, for GLADA