by Keith Gisser, director of publicity, Northfield Park

Northfield, OH — Ohio’s top county fair performers wrapped up their campaigns on Friday (October 12) at Northfield, contesting eight rich finals for the Night of Champions, with the four 3-year-old winners being invited to Yonkers Raceway for next week’s $25,000 National County Fair Championships, but that was overshadowed by a world record performance.

The 2-year-old colt trot saw Merited Victory ($4.20) establish a new freshman trotting gelding world record with his gate-to-wire, 1:57.3 victory in his $18,500 Night of Champions final. Ohio Sires Stakes champ Sunland Dakota could not overcome an outside post draw as he finished third behind Born To Bea Master. Russ Swartz and Steve Carter combined for yet another win with the son of Victory Sam, who is owned by Peggy Carter, Jacob Beard, Sheila Hummel and Robert Reid. It was the third win in the first four races for Team Steve Carter.

The first horse to stamp a ticket to the Big Apple was Extremely Fast as he shocked the $18,500 3-year-old colt pace at 11-1. The 1:54.3 mile equals his lifetime best, which was taken at The Meadows. Owned by trainer John Oliverio and Martin Yoder, Aaron Merriman piloted the son of Sadies Dreamboat to his fifth win of the year. Gordie How was second and EC Speedy Jet got the show money.

In the 3-year-old filly pace, also worth $18,500, Game Portia ($23.80) made a four-wide move heading to the three-quarters and drew off to win in a lifetime best 1:57.1 for trainer/driver Charlie Wyers. The daughter of Expensive Scooter defeated Western Bunny and JL’s Red Star. Wyers shares title to the winner with William Johnson.

The come-from-behind angle held for the final two heats, a pair of $18,500 3-year-old trots. But a new angle came forward as well. It was the barn change. In the colt trot, Say Cheese, making his first start for conditioner Jodi Schillaci, pulled the pocket at the three-quarters and easily went by favored One Sharp Spur, who held second. The 1:57.4 mile was four seconds better than his previous best. Michael and William Pozefsky and Myron Ekstein recently purchased the Emile Angus colt from Barb Lewis.

In the filly trot, Shes A Mamiac scored for new owners, trainer Miles and Renna Wollam. With Marty Wollam in tow to make it a family affair, the 20-1 shot pulled first up at the three-eighths and cruised to the victory in 2:00, defeating Oye Oye and Inquirer’s Fire. Her previous best, while under the tutelage of Ed Greeno, was a 2:04 win last year at Delaware.

The evening began with freshman filly pacer Kalfa’s Attack ($2.40) dominating her $18,000 division with a gate-to-wire, 1:56 lifetime best effort. She defeated her entrymate Ccshakeurmunymaker by open lengths for Steve and Peggy Carter. Steve Carter trains the winning daughter of On The Attack and he called on Russ Swartz to drive. The win was her 14th of the season and pushed her earnings over $62,000.