Northfield, OH — A winner in his most recent start at MGM Northfield Park, Mission Accepted scored another victory on Sunday (Feb. 5) in the $18,000 Open Handicap Trot.

Mission Accepted won by three-quarters of a length in a sparkling 1:54.4. Casalinova photo.

Mission Accepted (Ronnie Wrenn Jr.) bided his time early as Predator And Prey (Billy Davis Jr.) and Light Blue Movers (Aaron Merriman) dueled through the initial turn. Heading to the quarter, Wrenn sent Mission Accepted to the outside, clearing past the quarter in :28.

No one pressured the millionaire through the second quarter of the race. Still, Wrenn didn’t get any breathers, hitting the half in :56.3. Into the clubhouse turn, Hunter Myers moved Killer Instinct to the outside to take his shot heading to three-quarters in 1:26.1.

Dueling with Killer Instinct through the last turn, Mission Accepted was able to turn away his pursuer, winning by three-quarters of a length in a sparkling 1:54.4. Killer Instinct battled to be second, while Predator And Prey finished third.

Owned by Burke Racing Stable, Knox Services Inc., David Wills, and Weaver Bruscemi, the 8-year-old Ohio-bred by Manyofmanymissions has earned $1,342,592, with 47 victories in 120 starts.

In the co-featured $18,000 Open Pace, fan favorite Bernie rebounded off a second-place finish last week to upset his rivals in 1:51.1.

Bernie rebounded off a second-place finish last week to upset his rivals in 1:51.1. Casalinova photo.

Zanetti (Aaron Merriman) and Bernie (Ryan Stahl) both left alertly. Still, the brave warhorse Southwind Amazon (Eric Tharps Jr.) was able to get to the front exiting the first turn, heading to the quarter in a quick :26.1. Tharps had no time to catch his breath as Bettor Than Spring (Davis) and Bernie began to challenge at the half in :54.2.

Southwind Amazon was able to fend off pressure from Bettor Than Spring but had to deal with the fresh legs of Bernie, who made a three-wide bid for the lead at three-quarters in 1:22.2.

Into the final turn, Bernie was able to muscle past leaders to win easily by three lengths over Southwind Amazon, who dug in for second, while Zanetti battled to be third.

It was the second win of the year for the son of Big Jim, who has now made $451,009 for owner Pod Stable and co-owner/trainer Jessica Millner.

MGM Northfield Park currently races on Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. For more information on live racing and promotions, visit www.northfieldpark.com.