Northfield, OH — Northfield Park’s Great Lakes Amateur Driving Club race on Sunday (Nov. 12) had as many twists and turns as Northfield Park’s great half-mile track and when the official sign was posted, driver Jacob Baird had a 15-year-old trotter, Ursis Des Caillons (Cool Du Caux), on top in the field of eight.

The French bred senior citizen, allowed to participate in amateur events only at his age, had been winless in 16 season’s starts coming into the action with only one third place finish in 2023 with the toteboard at 67-1 reflecting that. But 20-year-old driver Jacob Baird, in the sulky for trainer Justin Ferrari, gave this eventual winner a perfect drive setting up the huge upset.

With the 1-5 favorite Lady’s Dude expected to dominate the field, driver Edward Miller sent his charge right to the lead and carved up panels of :29, :58.4 and 1:28 with Ursis Des Caillons doing the stalking from his number one post with Dontyousayit (Christina Johnson) third.

Into the final bend, Dontyousayit made a bid and moved on even terms with the leader with Ursis Des Caillons sitting chilly and close up. Turning for home, the passing lane opened up, with the favorite fighting to hang on with Ursis Des Caillons taking the shortest route and Dontyousayit and So Wishfull in assault.

Yards from the finish, Lady’s Dude made a costly miscue that continued right through the 1:58.3 wire with the trio of challengers all closing in and lapped on the leader. After the judges review, the disqualification of Lady’s Dude moved the others in pursuit up a notch and Ursis Des Caillons had his first win of the season.

After the event, driver Jacob Baird said, “You know, Ursis might have a bit of age on him these days but he always tries hard. With the inside post, I thought I’d try and give him a trip right behind the leader and draft along. I knew he had lots of class and I really thought I could be right there. I might not have thought so from the six or seven or eight post but, from the inside, I thought that might make a big difference.”

It sure did.

Ursis Des Caillons was awarded his 26th lifetime win — 18th in North America — sending his career earnings to $521,841 with $223,527 of that earned in North America as well. The winner paid $136.00 to win, keying a $1 exacta payoff of $506.90, a $1 trifecta of $1,464.90 and a 20-cent superfecta bonanza of $2,228.04. The winner is owned by Fox Racing Inc.

The GLADA amateur club members donate all of their earnings from their races for charitable distribution benefitting countless organizations involved in sanctuaries for retired horses, therapeutic training assisting those in need from traumatic occurrences and other worthwhile causes.