Northfield, OH – Oberto scored a popular win in the Great Lakes Amateur Driving Association (GLADA) Series at Northfield Park on Tuesday (Oct. 21).
The rugged 9-year-old gelded son of Yankee Glide grinded his was forward the last three-quarterss of a mile to a 1-3/4 length victory in 1:57.4 for driver Don Sherman.
Baby Yoda, with Ryan Deaton handling the lines, also went a game mile uncovered to finish second while Fox Valley Nautica, driven by Larry Ferrari and the longest proposition (23-1) in the race, hit the board, as well.
Vroom and Vonnie, prominent early on, was fourth for Eric Miller while Last Of Braggert garnered the final check after recovering from an early miscue with Todd Smith in the bike.
As the wings folded, Rattling Pine zipped off the wings and opened daylight—three lengths—before a snappy :28.1 opener with Vroom N Vonnie next and Baby Yoda, also quick off the wings, settling into third with Fox Valley Nautica next.
Meanwhile, just a stride or two past that opening panel, favored Oberto began his trek forward some eight lengths away, forcing the handoff Baby Yoda from third and halfway through the mile in :58.2, with Rattling Pine still on top, Baby Yoda had reached second outside with Oberto getting a picture perfect journey second over.
On the backside the final time, Baby Yoda reached the front but Oberto quickly forged alongside and took command as they straightened away for the drive home and drew clear at the wire.
In a post-race interview. Trainer (and owner) Jessica Roegner related, “I was pleasantly surprised he raced that well as he had missed five weeks…but he’s a classy horse and, when he’s on the racetrack, he doesn’t quite know when to stop racing.
“Yes, he’s a ‘head-case’ but he’ll give you all he’s got when he gets back of the gate. Once when he won a race, he went two more times around the racetrack before the outrider could catch him.
“He got a great trip tonight, that’s for sure.”
The victory was number 40 of Oberto’s career—fourth this semester in 22 starts—and vaulted his career bankroll closer to the half-million dollar mark, now at $473,965.
Off at even money on the tote-board, Oberto paid his faithful a $4.20 mutuel.
GLADA is one of several amateur driving clubs whose members donate 100% of their earnings from driving in these events for charitable purposes that assist local communities and national charities in a wide variety of goodwill placement.