by Ayers Ratliff, Northfield Park Publicity Department

Northfield, OH — Champagne Tonight ended her racing career the same way it began — with a win.

She was victorious in her final trip around a racing oval when she crossed the wire a winner in the 10th race at Northfield Park on Thursday (April 9).

JJ Zamaiko photo

Champagne Tonight closed out her racing career with a 1:56 triumph.

Ronnie Wrenn Jr. piloted the 5-year-old mare from the second tier and let her competition carve out the :27.2, :55.4 and 1:25.2 ambitious fractions. Wrenn swooped Champagne Tonight three-deep in the final turn, struck the lead in the stretch and stopped the timer in 1:56.

Northfield Park Wall of Famer Clair Umholtz trains the pacer for Umholtz Racing Inc. and Kennedy Sports Corporation.

Champagne Tonight (Western Terror-Lake Shore Drive) leaves the track after winning 14 times and making the ticket a total of 29 of her 56 starts. She bankrolled $330,521 and took a 1:51.3 mark at the age of two at Pocono Downs.

Since day one after purchasing Champagne Tonight as a yearling for $10,000 the Umholtz/Kennedy partnership could not have been happier with her.

“She trained down beautifully and has been a dream to race,” said Umholtz. “She is definitely the best horse I have ever had.”

Her connections have decided to breed her to Somebeachsomewhere and hope to have a healthy foal in 2016 that will possess Champagne Tonight’s heart, talent and passion for racing.

Champagne Tonight was one of six wins on the Thursday card for Ronnie Wrenn Jr.