Northfield, OH – The Great Lakes Amateur Driving Association (GLADA) Series continued on Wednesday (Nov. 4) at Northfield Park, with Johnnyreds Victory conquering the rainy elements, sloppy track and seven worthy opponents to score in 1:57.4.
The 6-year-old gelded son of What The Hill scored by a resounding 10-1/4 lengths for 23-year-old driver Harvey Hershberger, who picked up his first win of the season in 19 tries.
Magical Journey, handled by Alexia Kehl, finished second with Alonso and Don Sherman teaming up for third.
Kandy Sweet (Bill Rhodes), who pressured the leader during the middle stages of the mile, was clearly fourth over Big Bad Caviar, who had the driving services of Joseph Yoder.
Indeed, it was Big Bad Caviar who left with alacrity off the wings from post three to out-gun Magical Journey (post 1) to take charge and take the field through a quick opener in the slop of :27.3.
By the time they reached the.half in :58, Bid Bad Caviar had company as Kandy Sweet moved along side with Magical Journey now locked up as Johnnyreds Victory was in a perfect, second over spot just biding his time.
At the third station, clocked in 1:28.1, Hershberger waited no longer and sent Johnnyreds Victory on a double bubble binge and, by the time they turned for home, had an insurmountable five-length lead, which widened to over 10 lengths when he hit the wire in 1:57.4.
Trained by Kurt Sugg for owners Rebecca Sugg and Jamie Miller, Joghnnyreds Victory won for the third time this year in 30 starts, vaulting his 2026 bankroll to $41,579 and $165,727 lifetime.
Trainer Kurt, long recognized as one of the top drivers in the sport with well over 6,000 wins and nearly $42 million in earnings for owners, also has over 1,100 training wins as well.
Johnnyreds Victory rewarded his faithful with a $5 mutuel as the 3 to 2 favorite.
GLADA members have competed at several tracks throughout the U.S.A. and Europe benefitting many charitable organizations as their members donate 100% of their driving earnings in their events to charitable causes benefitting organizations locally and nationally.