Trot & Pace Opens head Sunday night features

Top class trotters and pacers highlight the 15-race harness racing card at Northfield Park Sunday night (Feb. 25th) with the Open Handicaps going in race 6 for the pacers and race 11 for trotters.

The $18,000 Open Pace looks like a highly competitive dash with several in with a good winning chance.

Tremendous Play (Shadow Play) scored an upset win at this class level 13 days ago, producing a game first-over effort for driver Hunter Myers, and returning $15.40 to his win backers. The Jodi Schillaci trainee gets saddled with the widest post in the field of seven this week, though, which explains his 8 to 1 morning line quote.

Sumomentsomewhere A (Somebeachsomewhere) was sent off as the even money favorite in that same race on the strength of a dominant 1:51.3 score in The Meadows Open Handicap on February 2nd. He got a tough trip on February 12th at Nothfield Park, however, and he fell 1 1/2 lengths short, finishing fifth after trying a wide move in the final quarter. He gets Ronnie Wrenn Jr. back now and that teamster guided the Mickey Burke trainee to the blowout win at The Meadows.

Master Yossi N (Bettors Delight) had a good run at Northfield Park in December and January after shipping overseas from Australia. He won three straight legs of a conditioned stakes series before losing the final by a scant nose. His latest effort, where he was fourth beaten less than two lengths in The Meadows Open Handicap shows he can contend for at least a share racing in the top class. Regular driver Chris Lems will handle the lines for trainer Jodi Schillaci.

The Real Way (Downbytheseaside) returned from a 10-week vacation flashing high speed in a conditioned race at The Meadows that should have him perfectly tightened up for this try at the Open class. He carved out fractions of :27.0, :55.1, and 1:22.4 holding the lead to the stretch call before tiring to finish third. He could be the one to catch with Justine Irvine at the controls for conditioner Randy Bendis.

Here is the full field for the Open Pace that is scheduled to go at 7:50 p.m. Eastern.

1. Dillinger – Drew Neil – 9/1

2. The Real Way – Justine Irvine – 3/1

3. Mull Of Kintyre – Billy Davis Jr. – 5 to 2

4. Commander Bob – Eric Tharps Jr. – 12/1

5. Master Yossi N – Chris Lems – 5/1

6. Sumomentsomewhere A – Ronnie Wrenn Jr. – 7/2

7. Tremendous Play – Hunter Myers – 8/1

The $18,000 Open Trot is headed by 2 to 1 morning line favorite Tequila Talkin, a winner at this level last week for driver Ronnie Wrenn Jr.

The nine-year-old Cantab Hall gelding has been remarkably consistent, taking 52 wins in 170 lifetime starts along with 25 seconds and 25 thirds while compiling more than $573,000 in earnings. The Mickey Burke trainee has shown the required gate speed to overcome post eight.

Don’t Take My Keys (Uncle Peter) finished second last week to Tequila Talkin, but he gets post advantage on that rival this time after drawing outside of him last week. The six-year-old gelding, trained by Nichole Stahl has taken nine wins is his 39 starts contested in 2023/24 and he took his 1:53.1 lifetime mark at Northfield Park last June in the Open II class.

Oberto (Yankee Glide) has been a frequent winner at the Open level for trainer Jessica Roegner, but he comes off a couple of starts that might be considered subpar for him.

The eight-year-old gelding broke stride while on the move last week after finishing fifth in The Meadows Open in his previous start, in a fast (1:53.0) mile. Prior to that, Oberto won three of four at Northfield Park at the Open level and he finished second in the other start. Regular driver Billy Davis Jr. is in the bike.

Winning Ticket (Triumphant Caviar) finished only three-quarters of a length behind Tequila Talkin last week after riding in his pocket the whole way. The Chris Beaver pupil took his lifetime mark of 1:52.0 in the Northfield Park Open Handicap last May, so it’s obvious that he fits at this level. Jason Thompson drives.

Here is the full field for the Open Trot that is scheduled to go at 9:40 p.m. Eastern.

1. Mo Bay – Hunter Myers – 12/1

2. Winning Shadow – Chis Lems – 8/1

3. Archery Seelster – Justin Irvine – 8/1

4. Winning Ticket – Jason Thompson – 9/2

5. Oberto – Billy Davis Jr. – 4/1

6. Don’t Take My Keys – 5/1

7. Up Helly Aa – Kurt Sugg – 25/1

8. Tequila Talkin – Ronnie Wrenn Jr. – 2/1

by Garnet Barnsdale, for Harnesslink