Northfield, OH — The Great Lakes Amateur Driving Association series continued at MGM Northfield Park on Tuesday (May 20) with John Konesky III teaming his own Stoney Ridgetop to score a popular win in 1:57.1.
The 6-year-old gelded son of Wishing Stone left alertly from the four post, fought with the 3-year-old Greatlakes around the opening turn until reaching the backside and then opened daylight from there. The winning duo left Holton and Steve Oldford almost eight lengths away at the wire with So Wishfull, smartly handled from the second tier by Larry Ferrari, wending his way into contention in the final three-eighths to earn third.
The 76-year-old Konesky has seen action in the sulky for more than a half-century and only drives occasionally these days — this was his first start of the season — but still maintains a high UDR.
As GLADA President Steve Oldford related, “’J. K. 3′ is always a prominent factor when he gets in the bike. He hasn’t lost a stride over the years — the Ty Cobb of drivers, you might say.”
Indeed, Konesky, since the year 2000, has had 13 seasons over .400, with a bunch of them over .500.
About the win last night, Konesky said, “He (Stoney Ridgetop) is just a nice, classy horse that gives you all he’s got. He’s a horse that makes me look good when I’m driving; I’m just along for the ride.”
Owned by Konesky along with his son, Patrick, Stoney Ridgetop now has 29 wins in 60 career starts, good for $145,123 to go along with his mark of 1:55.4 over the Northfield half-mile oval. Followed by a multitude of faithful, Stoney Ridgetop paid $2.40 to win.