by Ayers Ratliff, Northfield Park Publicity Department

Northfield, OH — Kirty Dream lowered the track record at Northfield Park for 5-year-old and up trotting geldings to 1:54.1 on Monday (May 19).

The previous record was set by Dunkster at 1:54.2 in 2004.

JJ Zamaiko photo

Kirty Dream (#6) broke a Northfield track record in the Open Trot.

The record performance came in the $12,000 Open Handicap Trot in the ninth race on Monday. Jeff Hochstetler trains the 7-year-old for Mario Caponi. Aaron Merriman was aboard for the winning drive.

Kirty Dream (Cantab Hall-Klelia) started from post six. He sat third through the :27.4 opening quarter. Merriman pulled the trotter in the second panel and remained first over through grueling fractions of :56.3 and 1:25.3. Kirty Dream battled for the lead though the entire final quarter and outfought his competition, winning by a head in 1:54.1. In addition to breaking the track record, the mile clocking represents a new lifetime mark for Kirty Dream.

Completing the race were Victory Is Coming, Julians Caesar, Zorgwijk Heavenly, Life Long Hanover, Rush N Supreme, Here Comes Bubba and Mythical Hall. Outlaw was scratched from the event.

Monday’s triumph was the fourth win this year for Kirty Dream. It increased his lifetime win tally to 15 and his earnings to $219,578. He was the race favorite and returned $3.00 to win.

In the evening’s eighth race, JS Tango was victorious in the $12,000 Open Pace. He is trained and driven by Elliott Deaton for owner Jerry Laria.

JS Tango (I Scoot Hanover-SF Tango) started from post three and sat the pocket through fractions of :28.1, :56.3 and 1:25. Deaton pulled JS Tango at the top of the stretch and bested his competition by three-quarters of a length in 1:53.3.

Completing the race were Lyons JosephJNR, Goodnite Goodluck, Soap Suds, Western Churchill, Iwilldowhatido, Bettor’s Choice and Mybrothergeorge.

JS Tango now has three wins in 12 starts this year, 24 career successes and a bankroll of $129,034. He paid $4.80 to win.