by Keith Gisser, director of publicity, Northfield Park

Northfield, OH — The preliminary legs are finished and now 64 Ohio-breds just have to wait and see how the post draw goes on Wednesday morning, August 29, as they prepare to compete in next Staurday’s $1 million Ohio Super Night at Northfield. The 2-year-old colts and geldings wrapped up the preliminaries with two heats each for trotters and pacers.

The two $20,400 freshman trots were both won in gate-to-wire fashion. Born To Bea Master ($6.40) took the first split in 2:00.1, defeating Merited Victory and Master’s Ten. The son of Master Lavec was trained and driven by Ron Steck for George Green, Rhonda Heady, Arthur Peavy and Bud Coughlin. The win was his fifth in nine starts.

Rose Run Jeriah ($2.80) is now seven of eight for Ron and Linda Randall. Chip Noble drove the son of Corleone to the win over One Awesome Master and Hello Norman.

There were two $21,900 OSS pacing splits and the first went to Show Me Big Slick ($2.80), who did not clear to the front until past the :27.3 opening panel, but who finished strongly to win in 1:56 over Stand Up Front and Big Guy Forever. Show Me Big Slick, a son of Towner’s Big Guy, earned his second Sires win and likely stamped his ticket to the $100,000 final next week for trainer Scott Cox and owners Ron Postiy, Towering Oaks Farms and Tracy Cox.

The last division (and final preliminary heat of the year) saw the most impressive performance of the evening as divisional track record holder Hello Yankee took hard pressure early and then cruised to a 1:54.4 win, defeating Raps Big Boy and First Victor. Ryan Stahl piloted the son of Yankee Cruiser for trainer Mickey Burke and owners Sylvia Burke, Frank Baldachino and Louis Starr, Jr. He has now won four of six in his career, with three sub-1:55 performances.

Only one division of the Scarlet and Gray Stakes — the Horse and Gelding Pace — needed elims and there were two $10,000 splits to determine those eight starters.

In the first division, Tre Bien ($2.40) was parked past the :27 first quarter but cruised from there, posting a 1:54 win. Coal Black Beauty was second, Civil Attack was third and Laughing Is An Art also qualified for the Scarlet and Gray Final by finishing fourth. Aaron Merriman drove the winner for trainer Jodi Schillaci and Michigan owners It’s A Night Thing, Inc.

The nitecap saw Stringtowner ($3.20) duplicate the trip and effort of Tre Bien, but he clicked the timer in 1:53.3 for Steve Carter and trainer/owner Chuck Grubbs. Stringtowner defeated Ron Jeremy, who vacated the pocket late, but couldn’t get up. Private Room and Expresso Forte also secured spots in the Scarlet and Gray Final.

The Scarlet and Gray Finals on September 1 account for just about $200,000 of the $1 million in purses that will be available on Ohio Super Night.

Northfield Park regular wins $27,500 Pontiac G6

Northfield Park celebrated its 50th Anniversary Saturday, with a ceremonial cake cutting and fireworks following the races, but nobody was happier than John Ciocca of Northfield, Ohio, who won a Pontiac G6 convertible valued at $27,500.

“You’re kidding. I don’t even know what to say,” said the Northfield Park regular when his name was drawn.

Jay Automotive Group, which is also celebrating its 50th year, sponsored the giveaway, in conjunction with Northfield Park.

Vice President of Racing Dave Bianconi interviewed many horsemen who participated during that opening season, including Fritz Talcott, Jim Mace, Don McKirgan, Joann Bowman and Walter Young, among others.

The celebration was the culmination of a week-long 50th Anniversary promotion which featured 50-cent customer appreciation Monday; appearances by Cleveland Cavaliers Daniel Gibson and Donyell Marshall on Wednesday; and Ohio Lottery Access to Fun Night on Friday.