Records continue to fall at MGM Northfield Park

Northfield, OH — For the second week in a row, the trotters racing over the home of the “Flying Turns” did just that. On Sunday (May 14), harness racing trainer Chris Beaver made his presence felt, tying last week’s world-record performance with Winning Ticket (Triumphant Caviar) and setting a track and world-record record with Caviar Gold (Triumphant Caviar).

In the $20,000 Open Trot, Big Bad Caviar (Greg Grismore), Tequila Talkin (Ronnie Wrenn Jr.), and Eye Ofa Tiger As (Billy Davis Jr.) all battled into the first turn, with Big Bad Caviar making the lead midway through the first turn.

Wrenn put Tequila Talkin on the lead just before the quarter in :27.4. He led the field in straight alignment to the half in :56.2, with Winning Ticket and Eye Ofa Tiger As beginning their bids. Winning Ticket was put on the lead, clearing into the backstretch for the final time, and Merriman stepped on the gas, coming to three-quarters in 1:23.2.

Through the stretch, Winning Ticket held off a late bid from Tequila Talkin, winning decisively in a world-record-tying 1:52. Eye Ofa Tiger As was 3-1/4 lengths off the lead, finishing third.

WINNING TICKET REPLAY

Owned by trainer Chris Beaver, Steven Zeehandelar, Tim Homan, and Jim Burnett, the 5-year-old son by Triumphant Caviar increased his earnings to $587,580.

Beaver wasn’t done setting world records on Sunday, scoring a convincing win in a conditioned trot later in the evening with Caviar Gold (Merriman).

Leaving alertly from post seven, once Merriman made the lead he never looked back, setting fractions of :27.1, :56.3, and 1:24.2 before power housing home to a six-length victory stopping the timer in 1:52.1.

CAVIAR GOLD REPLAY

The previous world record for 4-year-old trotting geldings was held by Amigo Volo, who trotted a 1:52.4 mile at Yonkers Raceway in December 2021.

Owned by trainer Chris Beaver, Bill Manes, Leo Fleming, and Steven Zeehandelar, Caviar Gold made it two world-record performances for sire Triumphant Caviar.

In the co-featured $20,000 Open Pace, Speedy Dominic produced a monumental upset taking down favorites Saulsbrook Genesis and Bernie.

As usual on Sunday evening, there were few leavers, but that didn’t stop One Last Laugh (Hunter Myers) from being put on the lead early.

At the quarter in :26, Almanac was able to power past and clear the early leader.

Wrenn had enough of watching the action, so he sent Saulsbrook Genesis to the outside, entering the stretch the first time. The heavy favorite would match strides with Almanac through a half in a contested :54.1. With three-eighths of a mile to pace, it appeared Saulsbrook Geneiss had enough of his competition, but Wrenn was able to find another gear with him as he came back at the leader at three-quarters in 1:21.2.

The pair would continue to trade punches through the final turn, with Speedy Dominic A (Luke Ebersole) taking advantage and moving right on by to win by a head in 1:50.2

SPEEDY DOMINIC REPLAY

Owend by Kapidelo Sign, Earl Hill Jr., and VIP Internet Stable, the son of American Ideal now has $255,546 in career earnings, winning 25 of them.

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