by Keith Gisser, assistant publicity director, Northfield Park

Northfield, OH — Super Mystic, driven by Tony Hall, ground out a first over win in Monday’s $8,000 Open Trot at Northfield Park, defeating two-time defending champ Glory Bound and world champion Dunkster in 1:59.1.

Wes Hershberger trains the winner for Robert and Lilyan Johns of Wooster, Ohio. In fact, the $229.80 trifecta featured three Wooster-trained horses. It was his sixth win of the year.

Dunkster took the early lead, but the battle for the top was contentious as Candacraigh pressured through a :28.3 opening panel and Glory Bound, leaving aggressively from his assigned post eight, followed.

Candacraigh made a break as the field hit the turn toward the half, allowing Glory Bound to get into the rail second. The half was timed in :58.2 and out came Super Mystic. He ground out his rally, moving up to second by the 1:28.3 three-quarters.

Dunkster battled gamely, holding the lead to the top of the stretch, but Super Mystic was stronger as he took the lead. Glory Bound moved to the inside passing lane and came up a neck short in his bid for five wins in six starts, with Dunkster finishing third.

The win, in race 12, was the first of the night for Hall, who then took the final two races, kicking off a 6-7-5 Hall Pick Three that yielded $785.

Brett Miller had five wins on the night, including three at odds of 12-1 or higher, while Greg Grismore tripled and Keith Kash, Jr., in his first night back from vacation, picked up a double.