Northfield, OH — The Great Lakes Amateur Driving Club returned to action at Northfield Park on Sunday (Sept. 22) with two “teenagers” — one of the equine kind — teaming up together to score a handy win.
Wild And Crazy Guy (Crazed), the 13-year-old warhorse with 19-year-old Braiden Rhoades in the sulky, blitzed the opposition with a devastating brush approaching the half and scored a win measuring 2-1/2 lengths in 1:57.1, sealing the issue with a :56.4 final half-mile. Fred’s Dream Girl finished second for Larry Ferrari while Holton, teamed with Steve Oldford, was next.
Leaving from post three, Wild And Crazy Guy was away in good order third as the two inside horses were on the bit early with Muscles For Life on the lead and Admiral Allstar in the garden spot. After a :29.1 opening quarter, Rhoades sensed a slowing of the pace and pulled Wild And Crazy Guy after entering the lane the first time with the eventual half time in 1:00.2. With a devastating brush, in a few long strides, Wild And Crazy Guy took charge and opened significant daylight on his foes, leaving the issue without doubt.
In a post race interview, Rhoades said, “I thought the leader was putting the brakes on so I decided to pull and go forward. I certainly wasn’t expecting him to brush like that and go on (third quarter in :27.3), but I guess that’s why he’s won so many races during his career (65 wins in 326 career starts). He raced like a 3-year-old — not a 13-year-old — and he made me look pretty good tonight!”
Trained by Bill Rhoades for owner Timothy Poitinger, Wild And Crazy Guy now has banked $33,604 this year on the strength of a 5-1-6 scorecard in 26 starts and $781,401 lifetime. As second choice in the betting, Wild And Crazy Guy paid $7.00 to his faithful.