Northfield, OH — Despite not racing at two, Zanetti has consistently shown throughout his career that he has a lot of talent if they could get him to focus. Focus is what he has done in 2023, kicking off his 7-year-old season with two straight victories at MGM Northfield Park, a streak he looks to extend on Sunday (Jan. 15).

Zanetti, who has one of the most prominent personalities in trainer Bill Rhoades’ barn, has taken a liking to northeast Ohio, seemingly improving with every start.

In his first start, he closed from off the pace after starting from post seven. And while he only finished third, he paced hard through the wire.

Zanetti has shown that he can close from off the pace and leave hard off the gate, and mixing it up is what his connections do to keep him from getting bored.

“We still have to switch his rigging up all the time to keep him interested,” said owner Rick Magee. “Bill (Rhoades) will tell you he loves getting attention in the barn.”

On Sunday, Zanetti will face a tall task — stepping up in class to take on some of northeast Ohio’s finest in the $18,000 Open — but his connections don’t think that we have seen the best of their talented gelding.

Zanetti will try to keep his winning streak alive on Sunday in the $18,000 Open Pace at MGM Northfield Park. Casalinova Photography.

“We haven’t seen the bottom of him yet; there’s not a time he comes off the track and seems tired,” said Magee.

Throughout his career, Zanetti has earned $153,621 with 20 victories in 102 career starts.

Leaving from post three, Zanetti will take on Cool Man Dude (Billy Davis Jr.), Lyons Friends (Kody Massey), Fly Charley Fly (Chris Lems), Prince Of Tides (Hunter Myers), Bernie (Ryan Stahl) and Rockn Motion (Ronnie Wrenn Jr.).

Looking to showcase their talents in the $18,000 Open Handicap Trot will be shippers Combs Hanover (Wrenn) and Locatelli (Anthony MacDonald).

Combs Hanover earned a victory over the Flying Turns on Dec. 26 in off-the-pace fashion. After that effort, he went to The Meadows and made a mid-race move at the half and never looked back, earning a 2-1/2-length victory in 1:53.4. On Sunday, Combs Hanover will have to leave from post eight.

In the barn of trainer Ron Burke and owners Burke Racing Stable LLC, Weaver Bruscemi LLC, Frank Canzone and Larry Karr, the talented gelding has earned $231,405, scoring 14 victories in 51 career starts.

Locatelli will try to avenge his loss to Combs Hanover on Sunday evening.

One of his more impressive victories was a 1:50.4 score against Preferred company at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

While he hasn’t won since shipping back, trainer Jason McGinnis has a lot of confidence in his gelding.

“He is a classy gelding who should fit well against this group,” said McGinnis. “He had two very good starts at The Meadows and should continue to improve this week.”

Looking to upset the two invaders are Chasin Dreams (Chris Lems), Fashion Chocolate (Billy Davis Jr.), Winnerup (Ryan Stahl), Fingals Wave (Don Sherman), Predator And Prey (Hunter Myers) and Light Blue Movers (Aaron Merriman).

MGM Northfield Park continues with their 2023 season with racing on Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday; first post time is 6 p.m. For more information on racing, promotions and more, visit www.northfieldpark.com.