Northfield, OH – The Great Lakes Amateur Driving Association (GLADA) feature at Northfield Park on Tuesday (Dec. 16) saw driver Joseph Kramps produce cramps for the rest of the field as Vroom N Vonnie doubled up after last week’s win.
The 6-year-old daughter of Full Count overcame a “skip or two” at the start before settling down and courageously fought to the wire in 2:02 over a snow-softened oval in near freezing temperatures.
Keeper of Secrets, saving ground all the way, was the fastest closing second as that one snuck through on the inside to finish second by a half-length for Lauren Harmon (at 41-1) while Mo Bay, with Christina Johnson handling the line lines was another neck back in third.
The 1-5 favorite, Nacho Rodeo was fourth for Edward Miller, lacking room to roam the entire way.
Kandy Sweet, who cut the mustard posting numbers of :30, 1:01.3 and 1:30.4, picked up the nickel for Justin Van Otterloo.
At the outset, Vroom N Vonnie, “hot” behind the gate, took a couple of steps but Kramp gathered her up quickly and she settled in third back of Kandy Sweet and Nacho Rodeo.
A few strides before the half, Kramps had his mare out and moving and drew alongside the leader at the third station as Nacho Rodeo had nowhere to go, further complicated by Mo Bay being on a double-bubble binge putting Nacho Rodeo in a bind, as well.
Once they straightened away, Vroom N Vonnie was tenacious in taking command and held safe at the wire.
In a post-race interview, driver Joseph Kramps relayed, “Carl (trainer Easterday, Jr,) said she was ‘hot’ warming up so I wasn’t that a surprised that she acted up a bit.
“But she settled down pretty quick and I sensed that the half was a bit slower than usual so I really thought she could handle being outside the rest of the way.”
Kramps handled the mare for the aforementioned Carl Easterday, Jr. and owner Chris Easterday with this success being her fifth of the year, sending here 2025 bounty to $31,045 and $124,912 lifetime.
As for Kramps, this win was in his 100th drive this year and was his third straight, having won with Vroom N Vonnie last week and, then, with his own AL Be Seeing You (at 37-1) while breaking his maiden for Kramps and Michael Mitch.
As the holiday season swings into the Christmas and New Year celebration, GLADA President Steve Oldford lamented, “We’s like to thank all of our membership for their contributions in donating all of their driving earnings in our events for charitable causes.
“Our contributions to these 501 (C—3) organizations by our GLADA members—and all of our amateur clubs—solidifies our important status in harness racing throughout the land.”