Northfield, OH — The Great Lakes Amateur Driving Association kicked off its 2025 season at MGM Northfield Park on Tuesday (May 1) with Fred’s Dream Girl teaming up with Ryan Deaton to score in 1:56.4.
The 8-year-old daughter of Team Six, leaving with the inside post, was reserved off the hot early fractions before rallying in the drive for the wire to hold off the fastest closing Bo Nanza Chip, with Lavern Miller handling the lines, to score by a half-length. The pacesetting Magical Journey, off as the 4-5 favorite with Lauren Harmon in the bike, held on for third.
As the wings folded, Magical Journey scorched forward and opened up a long lead and cut sharp panels of :27.2, :56.3 and 1:25.3 with Johnnyreds Victory, Fred’s Dream Girl and Bo Nanza Chip next in line.
On the backside, driver Deaton sent Fred’s Dream Girl gnawing away, cutting the margin to just under three lengths turning for home and then on by in the lane before safely holding off the late surge of Bo Nanza Chip.
In a post-race interview, Deaton, who primarily concentrates on the training side of the ledger these days, related, “When the gate opened, Lauren’s horse, Magical Journey, was a little hot and I didn’t want to get involved in any duels early so we just settled in third. Those early numbers were pretty hot, too, and, on the backside, I thought it was time to get going. This mare can really turn it on when straightened away and once we made the front, I was confident she’d hold on.”
For Fred’s Dream Girl, trained by Cory Kreiser for owner Ameer Najor, it was her fourth win of the year in 18 starts with her scorecard now 4-5-4 in those starts worth $36,932. She’s banked $193,470 lifetime.
For Deaton, it was his first win in over three years (April 19, 2022), with Fred’s Dream Girl rewarding her faithful with a $9.20 mutuel as third choice.