Northfield, OH — The Progressive Claiming Series is always a popular hit with horsemen, but on Saturday (Dec. 23) it was popular with racing fans, producing some of the best races of the night at MGM Northfield Park.

The 15-race action-packed program hosted the $5,000, $15,000, and $25,0000 Claiming Series finals.

Sunshineinmypocket tipped three-wide and motored by late to win by two lengths in 1:55.4. Casalinova photo.

Sunshineinmypocket (Aaron Merriman) got hot at the right time, taking advantage of a contested early pace, scoring a victory late in the $15,000 claiming final for fillies and mares.

In a wild race from the beginning, stablemates St Lads Gidget (Luke Hanners) and Douwantobldasnoman (Greg Grismore) left alertly and dueled each other into the first turn. While St Lads Gidget came away with the lead, things got dicey for Grismore, who ended up parked through the opening quarter of :28.

Hanners was able to work out a breather, getting to the half in :57.4 as he began to brace for a challenge from Royaltys Dreamer (Hunter Myers) and Sunshineinmypocket who began a first and second over bid for the lead. Royaltys Dreamer got within a head of the lead, and appeared like she may go by at three-quarters in 1:26.1, but St Lads Gidget found more at the inside and put away her foe midway around the far turn.

Who she couldn’t hold off was the fresh legs of Sunshineinmypocket who tipped three-wide and motored by late to win by two lengths in 1:55.4. St Lads Gidget hung on for second while favorite Mainline Charmer closed to be third.

It was the 26th career victory for Sunshineinmypocket who Schillaci Stables, Sam Bova Racing, and Jennifer Kanieski own. The daughter of Dali has now amassed $160,533 for trainer Jodi Schillaci.

Another favorite would go down in the $20,000 Progressive Claiming Series final for filly and mare $25,000 claimers, as Ideal Destiny (Merriman) got nailed late down the stretch by Jillian B Miki (Elliott Deaton) in 1:54.3.

The final Progressive Claiming Series final for filly and mare $5,000 claimers, saw another favorite be defeated as Carmen N The Devil (Tyler Angus) won easily in gate-to-wire fashion in 1:55.4.

Live racing resumes on Tuesday (Dec. 26) at 6 p.m. For more information on live racing and promotions, visit www.northfieldpark.com.