Northfield, OH – The Mighty Hill became the fastest freshman gelding trotter in the history of Northfield Park when he won a $17,500 division of the Buckeye Stallion Series in 1:56.3 on Monday (July 5).

The previous mark was 1:56.4 held by Timestorm (John Moody) in 2019.

The Mighty Hill lowered MGM Northfield Park’s track record for gelded freshman trotters to 1:56.3 on Monday. JJ Zamaiko photo.

Christopher Beaver trains and owns the trotter with Donald Robinson and VIP Internet Stable. Aaron Merriman was in the sulky for the winning drive.

The Mighty Hill (What The Hill – Maxine The Mighty – Tagliabue) started from the rail. He sat third through the :28.4 opening quarter. Merriman pulled The Mighty Hill to the outside and he brushed to the front just passed the :59.2 half. He continued to lead through times of 1:28.2 and 1:56.3, besting his closest competition by 2-1/2 lengths.

Monday was The Mighty Hill’s career debut. He was returned $6.20 to win.

Other 2-year-old winners On Monday included Muscle Count (Long Tom) with Chris Lems for Miles Wollam in 2:00. The colt is owned by Dark Horse Farm.

Count Jogging (Full Count) was a winner in 1:59.1 for Aaron Merriman and Marty Wollam. The gelding is owned by Wollam, Julie Ann Sweet, and Dale Sweet.

The fourth division went to All Gas No Brakes (Uncle Peter) with Tyler Smith driving for trainer Todd Luther in 2:00.3. The colt is owned by Black Magic Racing.

The final division was taken by Phantom Tom (Long Tom) in 1:59.4 with Greg Grismore for Scott Cox. The gelding is owned by Jughead Stables, G Peters and David Lindsey.

The fastest of the 3-year-old filly trotters was Jogging Sweets who stopped the timer at 1:54.3. She was handled by Kurt Sugg for trainer Edward Miller. The Dontyouforgetit filly is owned by Miller, Rebecca Sugg, and Ashley Dunn. Jogging Sweets is a half-sister to Count Jogging who was a winner in the 2-year-old division. The two are out of the Tom Ridge mare Jogging Home.

In other divisions, Cash N Chips (Cash Hall) with Hunter Myers for Steven Bush scored in 1:55.3. The filly is owned by Bush and Alvira Fassett.

Major Credit Card was a winner in 1:55.1 with Ronnie Wrenn Jr. for Chris Beaver. The Credit Fashion filly is owned by Martin Yoder.

The final winner was Ima Lovely Lady (My MVP) as Anthony MacDonald drove for trainer Jason McGinnis in 1:56.2. The filly is owned by Thestable Imalovelylady.

MGM Northfield Park will host the first leg of the Buckeye Stallion Series 2-year-old filly trotters Wednesday (July 7). Five divisions will go to the post. First race post time is 6 p.m.

— Frank Fraas also contributed to this report