Barn pet Bernie is a staple in the Jessica Millner stable, and on Sunday (March 26) night, he continued to show his connections how special he is with an eye-popping lifetime best 1:49.3 effort in the $19,000 Open Pace.
Leaving from post five, Bernie left alertly with Speedy Dominic A, who sped away from the pylons. Into the clubhouse turn, Stahl guided Bernie into the pocket behind Speedy Dominic A, who led the field to the quarter in :27.
There wasn't any movement through the second quarter in a speedy :54.4, with the field in straight alignment behind leader Speedy Dominic A. Saulsbrook Genesis, in fifth entering the backstretch, was the first to make a move with Fly Charley Fly latching onto the cover.
With horses beginning to close from off the pace, Speedy Dominic A made a costly break, forcing Bernie to vacate the pocket and take the lead. Heading to three-quarters in 1:22.2, Saulsbrook Genesis engaged Bernie, and they matched strides through most of the final quarter-mile with Bernie digging in late to win by a neck.
"I'm completely speechless," said winning trainer Jessica Millner. "That was some effort; he [Bernie] has a ton of heart and continues to surprise us week in and week out."
It was the 38th victory for Bernie, the son of Big Jim who has now earned $490,858 for owner POD Stable LLC and co-owner and trainer Millner. Ryan Stahl drove the winner.
In the co-featured $19,000 Open Trot, Ron Burke trainee Tequila Talkin scored a victory as the lukewarm favourite in 1:53.4.
Several horses were put into play early, with Windsong Patriot (Ryan Stahl), Icanflylikeanangel and Big Bad Caviar all vying for position. The field sorted themselves into the backstretch with Icanflylikeanangel clearing Windsong Patriot and leading the field to the quarter in :27.2.
Coming to the half in :55.2, driver Ronnie Wrenn Jr. sent Tequila Talkin to the outside, beginning his first-over bid to take on the leader. Into the backstretch, Tequila Talkin continued to advance on Icanflylikeanangel and heading to three-quarters in 1:24.3, the son of Cantab Hall forged his way to the front. Through the stretch, Tequila Talkin drew off to win by 1-1/4 lengths over Icanflylikeanangel, who dug in to be second, with Killer Instinct closing late to finish third.
Owned by Burke Racing Stable LLC and Weaver Bruscemi, Tequila Talkin earned his 38th victory and brought his earnings to $383,817.
Later in the program, Southwind Amazon earned his 125th victory, bringing him within 12 of Niffit for the most ever by a Standardbred racehorse.
While all of the favourites went down in the Pick-5, Rojans Way ($56) was the only double-digit winner of the sequence. The Pick-5 paid a healthy $4,495.90 to two lucky bettors.
With 1-5 favourite Freedom Warrior going down in the Late Super Hi-5, four tickets returned a whopping $6,292.08, as Bambino Joe ($19 to win) scored an upset victory over longshots Print Media, Tremendous Play, Just Bookem and favourite Freedom Warrior hung on for fifth.
The Tuesday night (March 27) Pick-6, which begins in Race 8, will feature a multiple-day carryover of $4,229.75. The 50-cent non-jackpot wager, which featured longshots dominating the latter part of the sequence, will have a $20,000 estimated pool.
The fireworks continued in the Late Pick 4 on Sunday as Best Time Hanover was victorious in the final leg and the Pick-4 returned $19,214.20 to just two tickets.
Live racing resumes on Tuesday evening at 6 p.m. (EDT). MGM Northfield Park currently races on Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.
(Northfield Park)