by Keith Gisser, assistant publicity director, Northfield Park
Northfield, OH — Monday’s $7,500 Open Trot at Northfield shaped up to be a speed duel among last week’s winner Candacraigh, the previous week’s titlist Glory Bound and eight-time seasonal winner Semper Fi Hall. But someone forgot to tell Bob Troyer’s Candacraigh, driven by Bill Popio.
The six-year-old Pine Chip gelding got the top easily in :28.2 and the race was basically over. The Jill Millette-trainee hit the half in :57.4 and the three-quarters in 1:27.3 and was never challenged as he posted his second straight 1:56.3 win. Glory Bound raced evenly in the pocket for the place spot and Semper Fi Hall’s outside bid at the five-eighths faltered as he finished third.
The win was the fifth in nine starts for Candacraigh, who has earned $16,938 of his career $69,752 this year.
In the driver’s derby, Ken Holliday had a triple, winning races seven, 11 and 12. At the top of the driver standings, Aaron Merriman had a consecutive driving triple as he took races four, five and six. He edged closer to leading driver Greg Grismore, who won the eighth race with the stakes filly Ask For Gold. At the other end of the spectrum, Ralph Miller (O Mandy-1st race), Kevin Cross (Grand Treacr-2nd race) and Jeff Fout (Nathan My Boy-11th race) each won their in their only sulky appearances of the night.