Northfield, OH — Tequila Talkin made short work of his foes on Sunday (March 3), scoring impressively in the featured $18,000 Open Trot at MGM Northfield Park.

With several horses leaving in the initial stages, Tequila Talkin (Ronnie Wrenn Jr.) was caught in between horses around the first turn but was guided to the pylons, clearing Up Helly AA (Kurt Sugg) as the field moved to the backstretch. Last week’s Open winner, Oberto (Billy Davis Jr.), was caught three-deep and had to hustle to make his way into the pocket before a :27.4 opening quarter.

The order remained unchanged as Wrenn got a :30 breather in the second panel, leading the field into the clubhouse turn for the final time. Up the backstretch for the final time, Wrenn stepped on the gas, and Tequila Talkin responded, opening up a 2-1/2 length lead at three-quarters in 1:26.1.

Turning for home, Oberto made a miscue and jumped off stride, while Tequila Talkin was confidently handled, drawing off in the stretch to win by open lengths in 1:54.2. Up Helly AA finished second, while Shamrock (Hunter Myers) finished third.

The victory was the third of the year for the 9-year-old son of Cantab Hall; he is trained by Michael Burke and owned by the partnership of Burke Racing Stable and Weaver Bruscemi and pushed his lifetime earnings to $587,426.

Driver Aaron Merriman rounded out the night with four victories on the program, while trainers Randy Bendis and Jodi Schillaci had training doubles.

Live racing resumes on Tuesday (March 5) with a first post of 6 p.m.

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