Northfield, OH – 3-year-old Ohio Sires Stakes champion Herculisa romped to a track-record performance in the Open Trot on Sunday (July 24) at MGM Northfield Park.

3-year-old Ohio Sires Stakes champion Herculisa romped to a track-record performance in the Open Trot on Sunday (July 24) at MGM Northfield Park. Casalinova Photo

Leaving from post four, Herculisa (Brett Miller) made the lead easily through the first eighth of a mile. She led MVP Luke (Aaron Merriman) by 1-1/4 lengths at the quarter in :27.2.

Herculisa worked out a slight breather through a :28.4 second panel, with the field in straight alignment at the half mile mark. Entering the backstretch, Winning Shadow (Chris Lems) floated to the outside to take his best shot at the confident mare. Miller stepped on the gas passing three-quarters in 1:24 leading by 2-1/2 lengths over Winning Shadow. Through the stretch, Miller called on Herculisa and she responded, opening up to win by two lengths in a track-record time of 1:52.1 for 4-year-old trotting mares. Her time shattered the record of Impulse Buy who set a mark of 1:53.4 in 2021. Winning Shadow was clearly second, while MVP Luke weakened to finish third. Smoking Jet (Ronnie Wrenn Jr.) closed gamely to finish fourth.

Herculisa is owned by Jesmeral Stable of Scarsdale, NY and has amassed $553,070 in career earnings for trainer Virgil Morgan Jr.

Live racing resumes on Monday (July 25) at MGM Northfield Park featuring Ohio Sires Stakes action. First post is 6:00 p.m.