by Keith Gisser, publicity director, Northfield Park

Northfield, OH — One Awesome Master ($14.60), a 3-year-old Master Lavec gelding, lowered Northfield’s sophomore trotting record to 1:56.1 with an impressive gate-to-wire effort in a $20,000 Ohio Sires Stake on Saturday, June 14.

Chip Noble steered the Robert Beauregard trainee to the win. Lightly regarded by the public, the winner is well traveled, having raced at Lebanon, Hoosier Park, Tioga Downs and Rockingham Park this year, while winning five of seven. He is owned by the partnership of Bernard Statile, Kenneth Clairmont, David Kaiser and William Johnson. He easily defeated favored Jon Win and Son Of A Spur. The previous standard of 1:56.2 was set by Trottin Troy on Ohio Super Night last year.

Several other sophomore trotters, all favorites, flirted with the track standard Saturday. Last year’s champ, Sunland Dakota ($2.40), cruised to a 1:57 win in his Ohio Sires split, defeating Looking To Score and Aly Spur. Virgil Morgan, Jr., trains the Corleone gelding for Frank Bellino.

World champion Merited Victory ($2.60) also rolled to victory in his division, scoring gate-to-wire in 1:57.3. Russ Swartz drove the Victory Sam gelding for trainer Steve Carter and owners Peggy Carter, Sheila Hummell and Robert Reid. The win was the 12th of his career, as he easily bested Flowing Jame sand Chip And Run.

Driver-trainer Jimmy Smith piloted Michaelrowyourboat ($6.40) to a 1:58.4 win in the other $20,000 trotting heat, stalking Persistent Spur throughout. The leader tired to third as Master Wheels closed for the place spot. Another Victory Sam gelding, he is owned by Flowing Mineral Farms.

On the pacing side, Thunder Cruise and Noble Fitch posted 1:53 wins, while Mai Tai Guy was a 1:54.4 victor in his $20,000 Ohio Sires Stake.

Thunder Cruise ($3.20) was parked to the half but still dominated for driver Chris Page, trainer Jack Fisher and owner Sharon Kay Fisher. The Yankee Cruiser gelding defeated Snow Storm Sam and Beau Jet.

Noble Fitch ($4.60) drew off to a 7-3/4 length win for Matt Kakaley, beating Must Be The Bunny and Stucker Bunny. Mickey Burke trains the Nobleland Sam gelding for Sylvia Burke, Frank Baldachino, Weaver Bruscemi and the JJK Stables.

Mai Tai Guy ($2.80) is co-owned, trained and was driven by Rick Schaut, who used a first-over move to best fast closing New Beginning and Southern Comfort. He shares title to the Towner’s Big Guy colt with Bruce and Patricia Soulsby.

Also of note, Ken Bencic’s Western Outfitter ($2.60) prepped for a possible Cleveland Classic appearance Saturday with an easy 1:55.1 win; Michael Epler’s Lite Me Up ($67.60) shocked the top Winners Over pacers form post eight with a similar time; and Katie’s Red Rose ($43.80) took the Winners Over Trot in 1:56.4 in another surprise. That mile was just four-fifths of a second off the divisional track mark for owners Gates Mills Stables and Rich Paltani.