Upsets in $19,000 co-features at Northfield Park

Northfield, OH — While One Last Laugh (McArdle) was a winner three starts back against some top-tier talent, he had yet to return to form against Open company until Sunday (April 16) after getting a perfect trip in the $19,000 co-featured harness racing event.

Bernie (Ryan Stahl) and One Last Laugh (Hunter Myers) both left alertly as the starter gave the word go, with Bernie making the lead heading to the quarter in :27.1.

With the field in straight alignment, Stahl was able to work out a :29 breather in the second quarter with One Last Laugh right on his back with one lap remaining. At three-quarters in 1:24, Bernie had yet to see a challenger but turning for home, Myers guided One Last Laugh out of the pocket, wearing down the favorite to win by a neck in 1:52.1.

Dancin Dragon (Billy Davis Jr.) held on to third, while Rockn Motion (Ronnie Wrenn Jr.) finished fourth.

The Sam Schillaci trainee has surpassed $325,000 in career earnings with 22 victories. He is owned by Schillaci Stables, and Sam Bova Racing and paid $13.60 to win.

ONE LAST LAUGH REPLAY

Parshall (Uncle Peter) and driver Jason Thompson took advantage of hot fractions set by Big Bad Caviar (Greg Grismore) to score in the $19,000 co-featured Open Trot, lighting up the tote board at odds of 31-1.

With several horses leaving off the gait, Big Bad Caviar and Winning Shadow (Chris Lems) battled through the first turn, with Big Bad Caviar coming away with the lead. Just as he did in the Open a few weeks prior, he put up a big first quarter over the sloppy going in :27.1.

Getting to the half in :55.3, Joggingtothebank (Kurt Sugg) was flushed out by Barn Hall (Aaron Merriman), and the pair began their grind to take on the leader. Big Bad Caviar had yet to receive any pressure at three-quarters in 1:24.1, the cavalry was coming with Barn Hall flipping off cover three-wide around the final turn.

It looked like Big Bad Caviar would be easily defeated turning for home, but he battled against Barn Hall, and while those two tussled, Pashall slipped through the passing lane to circle them both, winning by a neck in 1:54.3. Barn Hall battled to be second, with Winning Shadow closing to be third.

Owned by trainer Titus Schlabach of Sugar Creek, Ohio, the four-year-old gelding now has ten lifetime victories with $71,705 in the bank. He paid $64.00 to win.

PARSHALL REPLAY

Parshall was one of many longshots in the Pick-5 sequence, thus creating a carryover into Tuesday’s program of $7,491. The wager, which begins in Race 6, features a low 14% takeout and sports a $1.00 minimum. The Pick-5 should exceed $50,000.

Live racing resumes on Tuesday evening at 6:00 p.m.

MGM Northfield Park currently races on Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. For more information on live racing and promotions, visit here.

For complete race results, click here.

by Michael Carter, for MGM Northfield Park