Northfield, OH — An earner of over $110,000 in 2023, Oberto has kicked off the new year in a big way, as he continued his winning ways on Sunday (Jan. 21) in the $18,000 co-featured Open Trot at MGM Northfield Park.

When the starter said “go,” the trio of Don’t Take My Keys (Ryan Stahl), Oberto (Billy Davis Jr.), and Tequila Talkin (Ronnie Wrenn Jr.) all left in tandem from their outside posts. Don’t Take My Keys worked past rivals midway through the opening turn, but Oberto, who couldn’t find a seat along the pylons, drove up on the outside and cleared at the quarter in :29.2.

Davis was able to work out a second-quarter breather, with the field remaining in straight alignment at the half in a leisurely :58.3. Entering the backstretch, Warrawee Yang (Chris Lems) tried to make a bid from the back of the pack but stalled before three-quarters in 1:27.2.

Through the stretch, Oberto drew off easily to win by 1-3/4 lengths in 1:56. Owned by Paul O’Neil, the 8-year-old gelding by Yankee Glide now has 30 career victories with $382,260 in earnings.

Night Shadow rebounded to win the $18,000 co-featured Open Pace on Sunday evening.

Night Shadow (Wrenn) fired quickly off the wings, but Tremendous Play (Hunter Myers) was put into play from the rail and promptly defended inside position, leaving Makin Some Noise (Kurt Sugg) three deep into the backstretch. Night Shadow took back and tried to take a hole while the leaders dueled, but as Makin Some Noise worked to the lead, Night Shadow came back to the outside, taking over after a contentious opening quarter in :27.2.

Coming to the half in :56.1, Night Shadow had yet to see a rival, but the outer flow developed in the form of Cyclone Banner N (Chris Lems) and Pocket Of Terror (Eric Tharps Jr.), who rode second over cover.

At three-quarters in 1:24.4, Pocket Of Terror flipped off cover three-wide, advancing on the leaders, with Makin Some Noise bounding out of the pocket. Turning for home, Makin Some Noise and Night Shadow dueled with Night Shadow winning the battle by a half-length in 1:53.2.

Owned by the partnership of Burke Racing Stable and Weaver Bruscemi, the 5-year-old Shadow Play gelding now has 15 career victories.

Live racing resumes on Tuesday (Jan. 23) with a first post of 6 p.m.

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