Night of Champions at Northfield Park
October 23, 2010,by Keith Gisser, publicity director, Northfield Park
Northfield, OH — The Buckeye State’s top county fair competitors contested eight season-ending finals at Northfield Park on Saturday night (Oct. 23) and the racing was very competitive.
The evening started with a $13,800 event for 2-year-old trotting fillies and 3-5 favorite Minnie Spur rolled late to a 2:00.1 lifetime best win. The Pegasus Spur filly, owned by Bob Sidley, got up to beat stablemate Sleek Jessie, who cut the fractions, for the win. J.D. Wengerd drove the winner for trainer Mike Medors. Just For One Day finished third.
The $13,400 freshman colt and gelding pace title went to 1-9 favorite Integrity and Chip Noble. The Yankee Cruiser colt led at every call en route to a 1:57.2 lifetime-best equaling win over Lima Thunder and Victor L. Integrity has now banked over $66,000 for Dr. Jerry Maloon and Jerry Maloon Stables.
In the $13,400 3-year-old Night of Champions filly pace, 19-1 Sammy L ($41.40) stunned favored Golden Fizz, following cover from Tuesday and flying in the stretch to post a 1:56.1 win, lowering her lifetime mark by over three seconds. Dan Noble drover the winner, a Nobleland Sam filly, for trainer Herb Levan and owner Melissa Levan. Golden Fizz hung on for second and Cruisin N Surfin closed well for show money
The 2-year-old filly pacers chased a purse of $14,600 and Our Little Filly overcame a tough trip and second tier start to pick up a 1:57.4 win, her eighth on the campaign. Tom Marts, Jr. drives and trains the winner, a Towner’s Big Guy filly, for owner Benjamin Ott.
After several overnight events, including the $6,000 Open Handicap Trot, won by Bill Bercury’s Classical Man gate-to-wire in a fast 1:56.4 the Night of Champions finals resumed.
Both the 3-year-old trotting and pacing colts and geldings featured nine-horse fields and $14,600 purses. The sophomore trotters were ruled by Buckeye Man ($5.40), in line to Northfield Wall of Famer Don McKirgan. The Dee Hotton-trained son of Jailhouse Jesse rallied from far back to post a 1:59 win, his 11th in 20 seasonal starts. Hotton shares title on Buckeye Man with his breeder, Ron Fuller. Co-favored J Semper Fi was second and Jazz Spur finished third.
In the sophomore colt and gelding pace, Show Me Glory took the early lead, only to be passed by EJ’s Pocket Rocket, but Northmedo Cruiser went by both heading to the three-quarters and drew off to win in 1:55.3. Show Me Glory was second and Left’em Standing earned show money. Trainer Mike Medors picked up his second NOC win of the night with the Yankee Cruiser gelding who is owned by Northmedo Stable.
The $14,200 2-year-old colt and gelding trot went to Future Night Train and Dan Noble in 1:59.3. The Trainforthefuture-Ella’s Dreamer gelding is owned by Michael Kirby and trained by Richard Kirby. The winner led every step of the mile to score by 1-1/2 lengths over Sack Full Of Gold. Northmedo Wine Guy was third.
The final Night of Champs title, for 3-year-old trotting fillies, was claimed by 1-9 Victory Is Coming who used a leisurely :31.2 second quarter en route to a 1:58.4 win that featured a final quarter of :28.4. Trainer-driver Ammon Hershberger had the whip tucked the entire mile as the daughter of Victory Sam won for the 14th time in 19 seasonal starts. Chiptoria’s Secret sat in the pocket and closed the margin late to finish second, but never seriously threatened, while Miss Ohio Spur finished third. Victory Is Coming is owned by Betty and John Red Shaw of Mt. Vernon, Ohio. The $7,300 winner’s share of the purse pushed her seasonal bankroll to $113,292.