by Ayers Ratliff, Northfield Park Publicity Department

Northfield, OH — Northfield Park patrons experienced blazing heat on and off the racetrack on Monday (July 15). Temperatures were hot but the horses responded well, as track record performances were recorded in the evening’s featured trot and pace.

Victory Is Coming scored in 1:54.3 in the Open Trot.

Victory Is Coming lowered Northfield Park’s track record for 5-year-old and up trotting mares in the evening’s seventh race, winning the $6,000 Open Trot in 1:54.3. She held the previous record of 1:55.1, set June 3 of this year. Prior to this year, no trotting mare had ever trotted faster than 1:56 and that record was shared by Tom’s OK Lady (2009 and 2010) and Norma’s Rose (2013).

Betty and John Shaw own Victory Is Coming. Ammon Hershberger trains and drove the 6-year-old.

Victory Is Coming (Victory Sam-Norse Comer) started from post seven and sat fourth through an opening quarter of :27.2. Hershberger tipped her first-over approaching the half and inched closer through fractions of :56.4 and 1:25.3. Victory Is Coming took the lead in the final turn and maintained a one length margin of victory in 1:54.3.

Finishing behind Victory Is Coming were Easy Strength, Saintfrancis, Action SJ, Wind Surfer, Lima Legend, La’sent and Lookslikefire. Victor Victory was scratched.

Monday’s triumph increased Victory Is Coming’s lifetime wins tally to 32 and her career earnings to $374,183. She was the favorite and returned $4.00 to win.

JJ Zamaiko photo

Tyber Tyke won the Open Pace in 1:50.4 for driver Ronnie Wrenn, Jr.

Race eight was Tyber Tyke’s turn to break a track record in the $6,000 Open Pace. He lowered the 1:51 record of Gallo Blue Chip (2001) for 4-year-old-pacing geldings by one tick, posting a 1:50.4 performance.

Dorothy Miller owns Tyber Tyke, Melanie Wrenn is his trainer and Ronnie Wrenn, Jr. was the winning driver.

Tyber Tyke (Panspacificflight-Artbeat) started from post seven. Wrenn fired the pacer off the gate and never looked back, posting fractions of :26.4, :54.3, 1:22.3 and 1:50.4, winning by 3-1/2 lengths.

Completing the race were Bruisen N Cruisen, Royal Morn, Object Of Art, Beans And Weenies, Chase The Sun, Lite Me Up and Heza Star Cruiser.

Tyber Tyke now has 11 career wins and earnings of $108,592. He was favored in the win pool and paid $4.60.