Northfield, OH — Eddie Miller knows when one has the best horse in the race the front end is the place to be and that’s exactly where he put odds-on favorite Cowboy Country in Sunday’s (March 6) $7,000 GLADA contest at MGM Northfield Park.

But the lead didn’t come easy as Miller’s charge needed a :28.2 first panel to gain command and once on the front end there was no relaxing as Zach Tackett kept the pressure on with Golden Genes. The two trotters raced head-to-head past the half in :58.2 and were still side by side at the third stanza in 1:28.2.

Just before the three-quarter timer flashed 1:28.2, Lauren Harmon moved Emerald Chip three-deep and they were all heads apart as they headed for pay dirt. But Cowboy Country was still strong on the lead in the homestretch and was able to rebuff all challengers to go on to a 1-1/2 length victory in 1:57.4. Despite being on the limb the entire mile, Golden Genes held on for second money while Emerald Chip garnered the show dough.

Sent off as the 1-5 favorite, Cowboy Country paid $2.40 for the win. He is owned by Rebecca Sugg and Steven Maas and is trained by his driver.